FR2822883A1 - MOTORIZED ROLLER SHUTTER WITH OBSTACLE DETECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorized roller shutter for a door, window or the like, comprising an apron (2) consisting of a juxtaposition of slats (3, 3A) including a first slat connected to a winding shaft and a final slat. (3A) equipped with an obstacle detection device (9), such as a probe or the like, as well as, on the one hand, transmission means in the direction of an operating management unit (6) of the shutter (1) and / or of an alarm unit (12) and, on the other hand, of electrical energy supply means. This roller shutter is characterized in that the latter are constituted by a device solar collector provided on the external side (15) of the final plate (3A) and to which is associated at least one reservoir capacity.

Description

water (8).

  The invention relates to a motorized rolling shutter for door, window or the like comprising an apron consisting of a juxtaposition of blades, one of which is connected to a winding shaft and a final blade equipped with an obstacle detection device. , such as a gauge or the like, as well as provided transmission means capable of retransmitting a signal coming from said device towards a management unit of

  operation of the roller shutter and / or an alarm center.

  The present invention will find its application in the field

roller shutters.

  If, in the case of a manually operated roller shutter, the operator is immediately able to notice that an obstacle hinders the normal progression of the deck of this roller shutter, in particular during closing, this does not is not true for a motorized roller shutter. Indeed, the control of winding or deployment of the deck is. here, ensured by a simple press on a control switch, so that the operator is not required to stay next to the roller shutter controlled throughout the man_uvre. Moreover, it is not uncommon for a house equipped with several motorized roller shutters, a central control to activate all of these roller shutters simultaneously. Under these conditions, it is quite obvious that an obstacle can appear on the path of the deck of such a

  motorized roller shutter without anyone noticing.

  In this regard, if the operation of the engine is not stopped in this case, the roller shutter deck continues to deploy in particular inside the trunk containing its winding mechanism. By forcing the maneuver, this can lead to

rupture of this apron.

  Furthermore, this poses a problem of security, since it is possible for a user, in particular for a child, to become trapped under

  the apron of a rolling shutter during descent.

  There are already a number of obstacle detection devices which, for the most part, are designed

  complex or do not provide the desired reliability.

  Thus, it is known to install in the side slides, inside which are brought to move the ends of the blades of the deck, coils in front of which comes to move a magnet associated with the ends of one of the final blades of the deck, so that a voltage is generated across said coil which is detected by a unit for managing the operation of the shutter

  rolling. In short, if, during deployment, it is.

  suddenly, detected by this management unit an absence of voltage across the terminals of a coil, it is deduced therefrom that an obstacle arises in the path of the bulkhead and the drive motor

is stopped.

  In this case, additional means are also provided capable of informing the management unit that the roller shutter is indeed being deployed and not in the final, respectively, initial unwinding or winding phase. In fact, when the final leaf of the apron reaches the threshold of the door or window, the voltage across the terminals of a coil becomes zero and it is therefore necessary to continue to ensure the deployment of this apron of the roller shutter for, d on the one hand, close the doors between the different

  blades and, on the other hand, make active the anti-

  lifting of the roller shutter curtain which are usually

equipped them.

  Such additional means can be in the form of ILS switches, again taking a position in the side slides and which are capable of being activated by the magnet of the final blade, for example in the initial phase and in the final phase of

  deployment or folding. Of course other solutions exist.

  I1 is also known to connect, through a side slide, the final blade of the deck to a coding wheel which is located at the drive mechanism of the shutter. Thus, depending on the number of turns made by said wheel, it is determined whether the final blade of the apron is immobilized by an obstacle or has come into abutment on the threshold of the door or window and it is controlled or not to stop operation of the motor

drive.

  If the previously mentioned solution generates a substantial modification of a side slide to install the coils, the solution which has just been described is nonetheless restrictive insofar as it is necessary to implement in these slides means avoiding any risk of blockage of the rope connecting the final blade to the encoder wheel. Furthermore, it and the elements associated with it constitute, of course,

  complex means increasing the risks of retailing.

  Finally, there is also known an obstacle detection device fully integrated in the final blade of the apron of a rolling shutter. More specifically, there is associated with the latter a feeler or other switch system which is controlled when the final blade bears, as the case may be, on an obstacle or on the threshold. The signal which results therefrom through an associated electronic card is transmitted by a transmitter in the direction of a unit for managing the operation of the roller shutter, which is also equipped with a receiver. Obviously, in the final blade, with which this probe or the like is associated, the electronic card and the transmitter, it is also appropriate to integrate means of supplying electrical energy to ensure the operation of the assembly. Such means of supplying electrical energy, in the form of batteries or the like, pose, of course, the problem of the operating autonomy of these obstacle detection devices. In this regard, it should be noted that a failure in the supply leads to a malfunction of the device so that the apron of a rolling shutter can continue to deploy despite the presence of an obstacle in its path with the

  consequences to which reference was made above.

  Note that such an obstacle detection device can be associated, in its operation, with an alarm system. However, the lack of autonomy of a device integrated into the final slide makes this impossible. Indeed, within the framework of such an application, it is required, in particular with a view to obtaining approval by an insurance company, that said detection device informs

  periodically the alarm center of its operating state.

  In short, it is a matter of regularly transmitting through the transmitter a train of waves which is received and interpreted by said alarm center. Obviously, such a repetitive emission results in an increased consumption of electrical energy, so that it is advisable to provide, as the case may be, a large accumulator in this final blade or to replace it periodically, solutions which, well sure are hardly

acceptable.

  It should also be noted that many motorized roller shutter installations have a clock associated with them to ensure the automatic opening and closing of their

  apron, respectively, at daybreak and at nightfall.

  Obviously, this requires either connecting all the roller shutters to the same clock, or equipping them individually. If the first solution is restrictive in terms of installation, the second is in use, since it is necessary to adjust each of the clocks to ensure the closing and opening of the shutters at the right time in a day. This last

  solution is still particularly expensive.

  Finally, it will be observed that many users have the habit of lowering the roller shutter of a window particularly

  exposed to sunlight during certain times of the day.

  Obviously, unless the curtain of this rolling shutter is lowered in anticipation, the user is not systematically in the dwelling when the sun's rays penetrate the latter through the window concerned. For this it is now and already known to equip certain dwellings, at least the roller shutters of the most exposed windows, with solar collectors which are capable, precisely, of controlling the closing of the deck beyond a rate of sunshine determined. This obviously poses the problem of installing this solar collector externally on the facade and connecting it to the engine operation management unit.

  of these roller shutters.

  Thus, within the framework of an inventive step, the present invention has been able to respond, in an advantageous manner, to all of the

difficulties mentioned above.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a motorized rolling shutter for door, window or the like comprising an apron consisting of a juxtaposition of blades, including a first blade connected to a winding shaft and a final blade equipped with a detection device. obstacle, such as a probe or the like, as well as, on the one hand, transmission means in the direction of a shutter operation management unit and / or an alarm center and, on the other hand, means for supplying electrical energy, characterized in that the latter consist of a solar collector device arranged on the external side of the

  final blade and which is associated with at least one tank capacity.

  The advantages which flow from the present invention consist in that such a solar collector device, in the form of a small panel associated with the final blade of the deck, is capable of ensuring a supply of electrical energy sufficient for the good operation of a transmitter in almost permanent connection with, as appropriate, a rolling shutter operation management unit or an alarm center, for the transmission of information relating to a signal resulting, in particular, from the

obstacle detection.

  Furthermore and surprisingly, such a solar collector device is able to emit information proportional to the amount of sunshine, so that it is possible to manage the opening and closing of the shutter by

  function of the latter and, therefore, of the sunrise and sunset.

  In particular, when the outside light corresponds to a LUX number less than a threshold value, the energy produced by the solar collector device tends towards zero, information which can be transmitted by the transmitter to the operation management unit. roller shutter. This can then trigger the deployment of the deck, either immediately or beyond a specific period. Thus and advantageously, it is possible, thanks to the device according to the invention, to allow or prevent the entry of light into a building and, consequently, to allow or prevent a warming, by the rays of the sun from inside this building by acting on the opening and / or closing of the roller shutter. This ensures thermal equation inside this building and, consequently, a

proper energy management.

  Finally, although simple in design, it follows from the above that the present invention has numerous advantages by

  compared to the solutions of the state of the art.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description

  which follows relating to an embodiment which is not given

  as an indicative and non-limiting example.

  Understanding this description will be facilitated by

  Referring to the attached drawing, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the roller shutter equipped with an obstacle protection device at its final blade, this in accordance with the present invention; - Figure 2 is a block diagram of the operation of this obstacle detection device and

means associated with it.

  Thus, the present invention relates to a motorized roller shutter 1 for door, window or the like. This component comprises an apron 2 consisting of a juxtaposition of blades 3, in particular articulated with respect to each other. A first blade (not visible) is connected directly or indirectly to a winding artre on which a drive motor acts to control the deployment or folding of said deck 2. Furthermore, a final blade 3A terminates the latter at its end lower and is brought to rest on threshold 4 of the door or

  window once shutter 1 is closed.

  Note, again, that the blades 3, 3A are guided during the deployment or folding phase of the deck 2 by slides

  side 5 into which are introduced their ends.

  This roller shutter 1 comprises a unit for managing its operation 6, in connection with the drive motor 7, shown in broken lines, as well as with a switch for

command 8 accessible to the user.

  As visible in Figure 2, the shutter 1 is equipped with an obstacle detection device 9 more particularly integrated in the final blade 3A. Thus, on the lower edge of the latter can be arranged a feeler, knowing that this obstacle detection device 9 can also take the form of a switch capable of being controlled when the final blade 3A encounters an obstacle during deployment. of the apron 2. In fact, the impulse delivered by this detection device 9 is sent to a main unit 10, for example a microprocessor, moreover, in connection with remote transmission means 11, in particular in the form of a transmitter. In fact, it is defined capable of addressing information transmitted by the device 9 through the main unit 10 in the direction of the management unit.

  6 of the shutter 1, or even an alarm center 12.

  To ensure the functioning of this detection device 9 and, in particular, of the main unit 1O and of the transmission means 11, there is integrated, preferably in the final blade 3A of the deck 2, energy supply means

electric 13, autonomous type.

  Advantageously, these autonomous electrical energy supply means 13 are defined by a solar collector device 14 formed on the external side 15 of said final blade 3A and

  which is associated with at least one tank capacity 16.

  Such a solar collector device, in the form of a small solar panel formed in an opening 17 on this external side 15 of the final blade 3A, is able to ensure, in all cases, a supply of electrical energy sufficient to , not only, allow the transmission means 11 to transmit a signal relating to an impulse delivered by the detection device 9, but, also, to ensure, through these transmission means 11, a periodic transmission relating to the operating state of this detection device 9 in the direction of the alarm center 12, if necessary through the

management 6.

  In fact, this solar collector device 14 and the associated reservoir capacity 16 are capable of ensuring this autonomy over several days, this in the absence of light radiation, which could be the case if the solar collector device 14

  was intentionally or maliciously concealed.

  In this regard, provision is made, according to a protocol in accordance with the invention, to transmit to the management unit 6 and / or to the alarm center 12, this through the main unit 10 and means of transmission 11, information relating to the operating state of the solar collector device 14, in particular as to the amount of electrical energy produced. Through this data, it is noted, in particular, the instant when this production of electrical energy becomes zero, or even less than a threshold value. There is then a countdown knowing that beyond a determined duration an alarm signal is emitted, either through the central 12, or through different suitable signaling means. By way of example, these signaling means can be constituted by the curtain of the roller shutter, the rise of which can be prevented to inform the user of a malfunction. Through the operation management unit 6 of the roller shutter, this apron 2 can still execute a specific movement, such as an ascent and / or

  a partial descent, to warn the user of the retail.

  This same data relating to the amount of energy produced by the solar collector device makes it possible to envisage the automated control of the opening and closing of the roller shutter deck 2 as a function of a determined light rate. Thus, when the day is raised, the increase in the amount of light can be detected by an increase in the production of electrical energy which, if it is greater than a threshold value otherwise in memory, that is to say of the main unit 10 , or from the management unit 6 of the roller shutter 1, can generate the automatic opening of the deck 2, provided that an automated operating command has been stored in particular at the level of this management unit 6 via programming means 18 that can define

the control switch 8.

  Similarly, the detection of a decrease in the production of energy produced below a threshold value can be interpreted as being sunset for the control of

  automated shutter closing 2.

  It should be noted that for this automated operation of the shutter 1, the detection of an electrical energy production, as the case may be, above or below a threshold value can generate the triggering of a time delay relative to the command, proper, by the management unit 6 for opening or

closing the deck 2.

  Furthermore, it can be detected, through this solar collector device 14 that a window is directly exposed to the sun's rays, for example in summer, so that it can be ordered, at this time, the closing of the apron 2 to protect

  the habitation of an excessive increase in temperature.

  Ultimately, it is a matter of storing, there again, in the context of a memory of the main unit 10d or of the management unit 6, another threshold value of this quantity of energy produced by the solar collector device 14, a value which, if exceeded, in particular for a defined period, generates the closing of the deck 2 of the roller shutter 1. Note, in this case, that the closing of the deck 2 may be partial, in particular of so as to provide certain lighting in a room or to avoid glare, or even reflections on a screen or the like due to an open shutter. In this regard, it will be noted that this partial closure can be achieved, in particular, so that the openings

  between the blades 3 remain visible.

  Of course, and conversely, the reopening of the roller shutter can also be automated if the production of energy by the solar collector device 14 drops below a defined threshold value. Again, this reopening can only occur if this production of electrical energy is

  lower than said threshold value for a predetermined duration.

  As is apparent from the above description, the

  solar collector device 14, as a means of supplying autonomous electrical energy to an obstacle detection device, not only makes it possible to dispense with devices which are unreliable over time, but also the use of a clock to control the opening and closing of the roller shutter depending on the day and night. Finally, it still effectively protects a home against excessive sunlight, this in the absence of any other sun sensor. Note that as an advantageous embodiment, the solar collector device 14, in the form of a small solar panel, can be installed on a housing 19 containing the main unit and the transmission means 11 and taking position in a housing 20 formed in the thickness of the final blade 3A. It will be observed, in this regard, that the intogration of the solar collector device 14 at the level of this final strip 3A is particularly clever, since the latter usually remains visible under the underside 21 of the box 22 when the deck 2 is folded

in this last.

  Finally, the present invention, although simple in design, provides solutions to the many problems encountered in

  the state of the art.

  Although the invention has been described with regard to a particular form of renlisation, it is understood that it is in no way limited thereto and that there can be made various modifications to the forms, materials and combination of these. various elements, without

  for that to move away from the framework and the spirit of the invention.

i

Claims (9)

claims   1. Motorized roller shutter for door, window or similar comprising an apron (2) consisting of a juxtaposition of blades (3, S 3A), including a first blade connected to a winding bow and a final blade (3A) equipped an obstacle detection device (9), such as a probe or the like, as well as, on the one hand, transmission means (11) in the direction of a management unit (6) for operating the shutter (1) and / or an alarm center (12) and, on the other hand, electrical energy supply means (13) characterized in that the latter are constituted by a solar collector device (14) formed on the external side (15) of the final blade (3A) and with which is associated at least one capacity tank (16).   2. Roller shutter according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection device (9) is associated with a main unit (10), in particular a microprocessor, in connection with the transmission means (11), as well as with the means of feeding in electrical energy (13).   3. Roller shutter according to any one of claims   previous, characterized in that the solar collector device (14) is in the form of a small solar panel   in an opening (17) on the external side (15) of the final blade (3A).   4. Roller shutter according to claims 2 and 3,   characterized in that the solar collector device (14), in the form of a small solar panel, is installed on a housing (19) enclosing the main unit (10) and the transmission means (11) and taking position in a housing t20) provided in   the thickness of the final blade (3A).   5. Roller shutter according to any one of claims 2   to 4, characterized in that the management unit (6) and / or the main unit (10) comprise a memory in which is stored a first threshold value relating to the quantity of electrical energy produced by the solar collector (14) which, if it is greater than said threshold value, is pre w able to generate the command to open the curtain (2) of the shutter (1) and, respectively, a second threshold value, which, if said amount of energy produced by the solar collector device (14) is less than this second threshold value, generates the closing of the apron (2).   6. Roller shutter according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes in said memory a threshold value relating to the quantity of electrical energy produced by the solar collector device (14) which, if it is greater than said value threshold, generates the partial closure of the apron (2), in particular   so that openings between the blades (3) remain visible.   7. Roller shutter according to any one of claims   above, characterized in that it is transmitted periodically by the transmission means (11) in the direction of the management unit (6) and / or of an alarm center (12) relative information in the operating state of the obstacle detection (9).   8. Roller shutter according to any one of claims 2   to 7, characterized in that it includes a memory at the level of the management unit (6) and / or of the main unit (10) in which a threshold value relating to the production of energy is stored electric by the solar collector device (14) which if it is less than said threshold value generates the countdown of a time which, if it is greater than a determined time known in said memory, generates an alarm signal through an alarm center (12)   and / or appropriate signaling means.   9. Roller shutter according to any one of claims   previous, characterized in that it comprises means for progr a ation (18), defined by the control switch (8) of said roller shutter (1) for the command to open and fully and / or partially automated opening and closing of the shutter (2) of the roller shutter (1) as a function of threshold values relating to the quantity of energy