FR2969689A1 - Motorized device for maneuvering mobile screen roller of window covering or projection screen, has side element and roller compensating torque acting during unfolding of screen by interaction with gravity and/or with fabric of screen - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a winding tube (4) movable about an axis (X1-X1') and on which a web is intended to roll. An actuator (5) is placed partially in the tube, and an attachment unit (6) for fixing an end of a fabric of a screen to the tube. A side element (7) and a roller compensate torque acting during unfolding of a screen by interaction with gravity and/or with the fabric. The actuator includes a casing and an output shaft that are driven in rotation relative to the other when the actuator is active, and that are locked with respect to the other when the actuator is not active.

Description

The invention relates to a mobile roll-up screen, of the window covering or projection screen type, provided with a motorized winding means and in which the motorized winding means moves vertically during an electrical activation of this winding device. winding means. More specifically, the invention relates to a motorized operating device for operating a movable roll-up screen of a window cover or projection screen device and a window or screen covering device. projection device comprising such an operating device.

A mobile screen with roll-up fabric is described in US Pat. No. 7,089,991. Synchronous drive means arranged at both ends of a load bar cooperate with rails provided with racks. The screen is fixed by a first end to the load bar, and by a second end to a winding tube provided with a winding spring and disposed in an upper box.

This arrangement requires two engines: one electric in the load bar, the other mechanical in the winding tube. It also requires a relationship between the load bar and the frame, that is to say here the slides provided with racks.

Other movable screens with vertical displacement of the motorized winding means do not require two motors but are intended for the winding of a cord. The mobile screen is Venetian blind type, as described in US Patent 7,264,034. The mobile screen is stacked more or less above a motorized load bar, comprising means for winding a cord attached to an upper box and energy supply means in the form of piles.

The patent application WO 02/41740 also describes in Figure 6 this type of configuration, wherein the drive mechanism is contained in the lower rail of a solar protection system, cell type or accordion. This time again, the winding of the cord causes the rise of the load bar and a progressive stacking of the folds constituting the sun protection as the rise occurs.

These two documents do not relate to a rolling screen mobile screen and do not provide any possibility of winding the sun protection system around the motorized winding means.

The problem raised by a direct winding of the fabric on the motorized winding means is that of the torque recovery, as explained in connection with Figure 1 of the present application. This problem does not arise in US Pat. No. 7,089,991 due to the use of a connection between the winding means and the frame. This problem is not raised in the case of the other cited documents of the prior art, because of the use of a real box (or rail) lower to contain the motorized winding means. The winding of the cord occurs at contiguous turns, as shown in the figures of these documents. In addition, the slats or folds are regularly deposited on an upper face of the lower box, by not introducing any imbalance on the lower box.

The invention aims to allow a direct winding of the fabric on the motorized winding means and only on it, which requires the recovery of a variable tilting torque according to the winding of the fabric and to be able to avoid the unwinding thereof when the motorized winding means is not activated.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for maneuvering a screen overcoming the disadvantages mentioned and improving operating devices known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a simple architectural maneuvering device that does not require lateral guiding means and a torque recovery without action on the frame on which the screen is mounted.

The motorized actuating device according to the invention is intended for the operation of a movable roller screen of a window covering device or projection screen. The motorized operating device is intended to be suspended by the fabric and comprises: a winding tube movable about a first axis and on which the fabric is intended to wind, an actuator disposed at least partially in the tube, - a first means of fixing a first end of the fabric to the winding tube, the weight of the operating device creating a couple of unwinding of the fabric. The operating device comprises a means for compensating the unwinding torque acting exclusively by interaction with gravity and / or with the fabric.

The unwinding torque compensation means can act by applying a force of the fabric on the latter and / or by applying the weight of a mass thereof.

The actuator may comprise a first portion and a second portion rotated relative to each other along the first axis when the actuator is activated and locked relative to each other when the actuator is not activated, the first part being integral in rotation with the winding tube and the second part of the motor being connected to the compensation means.

The second part may include an output shaft of the actuator.

The second part can be a casing of the actuator.

The compensating means may comprise at least one lateral element, connected to the second part outside the winding tube and extending at least substantially perpendicular to the first axis for a distance greater than the largest winding radius of the fabric when the canvas is totally wound on the winding tube.

The compensating means may comprise a roller, mounted on a free shaft movable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and connected to the side member at a distance from the first axis greater than the largest winding radius, the roller being in contact with an outer surface of the fabric, at least when the actuator is not activated and the unwinding torque being at least balanced by the effort of the fabric on the movable roller.

The compensation means may comprise an additional mass connected to the lateral element at a distance from the first axis greater than the largest winding radius, the balance of the unwinding torque being caused by the torque created by the weight of the element. lateral and additional mass and requiring no contact of the compensation means with the fabric.

The additional mass may comprise a photovoltaic type panel and / or a reserve of electrical energy. The side element may be fixed to a substantially cylindrical section along a radius greater than the largest winding radius, surrounding the tube. winding and provided with a slot parallel to the first axis.

The lateral element may comprise a flange.

The device may comprise a second means for fixing a second end of the fabric by means of compensation of the unwinding torque. According to the invention, a device for covering a window or projection screen comprises a maneuvering device defined above and a mobile screen including a fabric. The window covering or projection screen device may comprise a second means for attaching a second end of the fabric to a fixed frame. The window covering or projection screen device may comprise a return tube of the fabric, the return tube being movable in free rotation about a third axis parallel to the first axis.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents, in cross-section and arranged on a frame, window covering device or projection screen according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows the forces acting on elements of the window covering or projection screen device according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows in cross-section a variant of the first embodiment of the window covering device or projection screen according to the invention. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the window cover or projection screen device according to the invention. FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a first variant of the second embodiment of the device for covering a window or projection screen according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a second variant of the second embodiment of the window cover or projection screen device according to the invention. FIG. 7 represents in longitudinal section a first variant of an actuator of the motorized mobile screen and its connections with a winding tube and with a stop means according to the invention. FIG. 8 represents in longitudinal section a second variant of an actuator of the motorized mobile screen and its connections with the winding tube and with the stop means according to the invention. FIG. 9 represents, in perspective, a motorized mobile screen, according to the second embodiment of the window cover or projection screen device according to the invention. Figure 10 shows, in cross-section, a third embodiment of the window covering device or projection screen according to the invention.

FIG. 1 represents, in cross section and arranged on a frame 10, a device 1 for covering a window or projection screen 1, represented according to a first embodiment of the invention. The device 1 for covering a window or projection screen comprises a mobile roll-up screen 2 and a motorized device 100 for maneuvering the roll-up fabric 2. The fabric is fixed to the frame by a second fastening means 3 of an upper end of the canvas.

The motorized operating device comprises: - a winding tube 4 movable about a first axis X1-X1 'and on which the fabric is intended to wind, - an actuator 5 disposed at least partially in the tube, - first means 6 for fixing a first end of the fabric to the winding tube.

The motorized device is intended to be connected to the frame 10 exclusively by the fabric. In particular, the motorized device is intended to be suspended exclusively by the fabric. Thus, all the efforts taken on the motorized actuating device are provided by the canvas. This fabric is also in mechanical connection with the frame.

A lower end of the fabric is attached to the winding tube 4 at least partially containing the actuator 5 by the first fastening means 6. In Figure 1, the actuator is shown in transparency.

Two embodiments of actuator 5 are described below in relation to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The winding tube and the actuator have the same first axis of rotation, denoted X1-X'1, perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and represented by a cross. R1 denotes the largest winding radius of the fabric, that is to say when the fabric is fully wound on the winding tube.

Figure 1 is shown in a partially wound configuration of the fabric on the winding tube. At this stage, it is understood that, because of the gravity and therefore in particular the weight of the winding tube, the rolled fabric and the actuator, there is a tilting or unwinding torque tending to cause rotation of the together in the direction represented by an arrow A0, and therefore tends to cause the unwinding of the fabric. It should be noted that this tilting or unwinding torque is not constant for two cumulative reasons: it increases with both the wound roll mass and the winding diameter.

However, it is in the designer's interest that the total mass of the winding tube and the actuator is not too great, in order to minimize the energy consumption during a winding maneuver. This mass should not be too low either, to ensure a good tension of the fabric, without visible folds. There may therefore be situations in which the mass of the fabric is of the same order of magnitude as the total mass of the winding tube and the actuator, that is to say producing a variation of the simple to the double of the mass between a totally unrolled situation and a totally rolled up situation. In addition, it is necessary that the diameter of the tube is not too large, both to avoid a visual inconvenience in an intermediate stopping position, to avoid a high reduction ratio in the organs of the actuator, to avoid a higher material cost. As a result, the variation in diameter can be significant between a completely unrolled situation and a fully wound situation, for example an increase of 150%.

In total, the tilting torque can vary, for example, in a ratio of one to three times, which is considerable. In order to counter this tilting or unwinding torque, the motorized operating device is provided with a stop means. or compensation of the unwinding torque.

In a manner which will be detailed below, the actuator 5 is connected to a lateral element 7, externally to the winding tube. The lateral element extends at least substantially perpendicular to the first axis, in a lateral direction represented by a straight dotted line, over a distance R2 greater than the largest winding radius of the fabric. For example, the distance R2 is at least twice the largest winding radius R1.

In addition, an additional mass 8 is also connected to the lateral element 7, preferably as far as possible from the first axis and whose center of gravity is at least at a distance R3 greater than the largest winding radius.

Preferably, the additional mass has a cylindrical shape (of any base, for example: elliptical, circular or rectangular) 20 along a second axis denoted X2-X2 'parallel to the first axis.

According to the first embodiment, the stop means is constituted by the lateral element and by the additional mass. Its operation is detailed in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 represents the forces acting on elements of the motorized actuating device at the first axis and the second axis in the situation of FIG. 1. It is assumed for simplicity that the mass of the Lateral means is negligible relative to the mass of the winding tube, the actuator, the wound web and the additional mass. It is also assumed that the center of gravity of the additional mass is on the second axis.

Under these conditions, a first weight P1 corresponds to the action of gravity on the mass of the winding tube, the mass of the actuator and the mass of the rolled fabric. A second weight P2 corresponds to the action of gravity on the additional mass. Denote by D1 the current value of the winding radius and by 01 a point of a horizontal axis Y1-Y1 ', perpendicular and secant to the first axis, located at the end of the winding radius. Finally, D2 denotes the distance between the point 01 and a vertical passing through the second axis.

Point 01 is center of rotation.

The switching torque Cl is equal to the product of P1 by the distance D1. This tilting torque is balanced by an antagonistic pair C2, equal to the product of P2 by the distance D2, if the following relation is satisfied: P1 xD1 = P2xD2

The second weight P2 having a constant value, it is the value of the distance D2 which serves as an adjustment variable for this relationship to be verified for a given pair of first weight and current value of winding radius. This adjustment is effected automatically by varying an angle α between the vertical and the lateral direction: the more the wound roll mass increases and the more the current value of the winding radius increases the more D2 needs to increase and the lateral direction tends to get closer to the horizontal. The device according to the invention is therefore suitable, if properly sized, to automatically compensate for the cumulative variation of wound mass and winding radius.

To dimension the device, the designer makes sure that the preceding relation can be checked under any circumstance and for example that the first weight P1 remains lower, for a maximum winding, to the value given by this relation when the lateral direction becomes horizontal. If this is not the case, the designer increases the mass of the additional mass or the distance R2.

It is also possible to provide a means for adjusting the position of the additional mass along the lateral element in the case where the same device must be able to be used with very different density webs.

Figure 3 shows in cross section a variant of the first embodiment. This variant relates to the nature of the additional mass 8, which then consists of a photovoltaic type panel 8a and an energy storage device 8b, in the form of a storage battery or supercapacitors. Electrical connections are not shown. An electrical connection to the actuator is established using the side element as a support for the electrical conductors. Alternatively, only the storage means is used, in the form of primary batteries.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a device 1 'for covering a window or projection screen according to the invention. In this second embodiment, the device 1 'for covering window or projection screen comprises, as in the first embodiment and with the same references, a roll-up fabric 2 fixed to the frame (not shown) by a first fixing means 3 of an upper end of the fabric and a motorized device 100 'for maneuvering for the operation of the fabric. As in the first embodiment, a lower end of the fabric is attached to a winding tube 4 at least partially containing an actuator 5 (shown in transparency) by a second fastening means 6. The actuator 5 is connected to a lateral element 7, externally to the winding tube. By cons, in this second embodiment of the motorized device 100 'of maneuver, the torque compensation means is different. The moving mass 8 is replaced by a roller 9a. Thus, the compensation means comprises the roller 9a mounted on a free shaft 9b, movable about the second axis X2-X2 'defined as above.

In this embodiment, the weight of the tube, the rolled fabric and the actuator is not balanced when the situation of the lateral element is that of FIG. 1: due to the tilting torque, there is therefore rotation in the direction of the arrow A0, exceeding the horizontal position of the lateral element and continued tilting until contact (at point 02) between the roller and the outer part of the fabric. The reaction of the web then balances the tilting torque.

Figure 5 shows in cross section a first variant of the second embodiment.

This variant relates to a second lateral member 7 'made in the form of a flange, so as to mask and protect the lateral parts of the winding, and possibly to guide them in the event that an obstacle would modify the proper operation of Figure 6 shows in cross-section a second variant of the second embodiment. This figure differs from the previous two by the geometry of the flange 7 "and by the presence of a substantially cylindrical profile 12 along a radius greater than the largest winding radius, surrounding the winding tube and provided with a parallel slot 12a at the first axis, the slit in which the fabric is engaged, Preferably this profile is fixed to the lateral element 7 ', the lateral direction joining the first axis to the second axis is substantially vertical, and a slight angle R is shown between this direction and the vertical, the resulting tilting torque is then balanced by the reaction of the fabric at the point of contact 02 between the fabric and the roll.

FIG. 7 represents in longitudinal section AA 'a first variant of an actuator 5 of the motorized mobile screen and its connections with the winding tube 4 and with the lateral element 7' belonging to the stop means according to FIG. invention.

The actuator 5 comprises a first portion 5a which is integral in rotation with the winding tube. The first part is for example a housing 15a geared motor. A solidarity link is represented by a short segment in bold lines. The actuator 5 includes a second portion 5b, rotated relative to the first portion when the actuator is activated and locked relative to the first portion when the actuator is not activated. The second part comprises for example a first output shaft 15b and a second output shaft 15c, each being connected, for example by a rod of polygonal section, respectively 15d and 15f, to each lateral element. A lateral element 7 'comprises for example a polygonal section hole 7'a in which is engaged the polygonal rod. The lateral element is thus integral in rotation with the output shaft.

FIG. 8 represents in longitudinal section AA 'a second variant of an actuator 5 of the motorized mobile screen and its connections with the winding tube 4 and with the lateral element 7' belonging to the stop means according to FIG. invention. This variant is applicable in the case where a geared motor comprises only one output shaft. A geared motor is housed in each end of the winding tube.

A first portion 5a of the actuator is integral in rotation with the winding tube and comprises for example a first output shaft 25b of the first geared motor, connected to a polygonal rod 25c engaged in a first wheel 25d integral in rotation with the tube of winding, and comprises a second output shaft 35b of the second geared motor, connected to a polygonal rod 35c engaged in a second wheel 35d rotatably integral with the winding tube 4.

Each geared motor housing (respectively 25a and 35a) is connected to a side member. For example, the casing 35a of the second geared motor is secured to the lateral element 7 '.

In this variant, the geared motors are electrically connected so as to cooperate and share the mechanical power.

This variant is represented in the case where two geared motors are used, but it also applies to the case where a single geared motor is used. For example the first geared motor is housed at a first end of the winding tube while a battery is housed in a second end of the winding tube, replacing the second gear motor. Such an arrangement makes it possible to distribute the masses along a longitudinal direction.

Figure 9 shows, in perspective, a device 1 'for covering windows or projection screens according to the second embodiment of the invention. The longitudinal plane PL corresponds to the plane of FIGS. 7 and 8, whereas the transverse plane PT corresponds to a plane parallel to the sectional planes of FIGS. 1 to 6. The roller 9a is mounted on the free shaft 9b, itself fixed. between the two lateral elements 7 '.

The energy storage element may be disposed in the roll or in the winding tube. The free shaft may also be hollow and contain a means of electrical connection between the two motors. The geared motor housing 35a is shown longer than the geared motor housing 25a because it also contains a radio frequency receiver for receiving and interpreting control commands.

Ultimately, the unwinding torque compensation means acts exclusively by interaction with gravity in the first embodiment and by interaction with the fabric in the second embodiment. These two embodiments can advantageously be combined. For example, a first lateral element can support an additional mass while a second lateral element supports a roller mounted on a free shaft, this roller being in contact with the fabric. The two side members have an angle such that the gravity applied to the additional mass decreases the contact pressure between the roll and the fabric. This combination of the two embodiments therefore makes it possible to limit the reaction of the fabric on the roll. In a simplified embodiment, the roller can be replaced by a fixed rod, when the friction between the fabric and this rod is sufficiently low.

Figure 10 shows, in cross-section, a third embodiment of a window cover or projection screen device according to the invention.

It differs mainly from the first two embodiments in that the end of the web not bound to the winding tube is not fixed to a frame, but fixed to the lateral element 7 'by a second fixing means 6b for example in the form of a rod disposed in a hem of the fabric and inserted at each end into each lateral element 7 '. The other end of the fabric is fixed as before to the winding tube 4 by a first fixing means 6a.

Between these two ends fixed to the motorized operating device 100 ", the fabric is wound on a half-turn around a return tube 21, mobile in free rotation about a third axis X3-X3 'parallel to the first axis. This return tube is for example connected to the frame 10 by a fixing means such as a bracket 22 on either side of the return tube.

The fabric therefore comprises a rising portion 2c and a descending portion 2d located on either side of the return tube. The inclination of the lateral element automatically adjusts according to the winding radius of the fabric on the winding tube. The tension of the fabric on the second fastening means cancels the tilting torque. This second fastening means 6b thus forms part of the torque compensation means of this embodiment with the lateral element.

In this embodiment, the density of the fabric is divided by 2 if it is desired to cause the same sun protection effect, which compensates for doubling the length of the fabric with respect to the first two embodiments. In addition, as is known from the state of the art, the fabric may comprise a regular alternation of areas of high density and low density, producing a different visual effect or a different sunscreen depending on whether the horizontal areas of the party rising and falling part are vertically offset or coincidental.

In all embodiments, a photovoltaic type panel makes it possible to make the element completely autonomous if it is arranged in a lighted room and in particular facing a bay window. In other cases, the storage means is a primary battery, for example of the alkaline battery type or lithium battery. It is also possible to combine energy storage from a photovoltaic panel with primary battery storage.

A very important advantage of the invention is to be able to damp very significantly any vibratory transmission of solid type between the engine and the frame, this transmission can only take place through the canvas. As a result, a motorized mobile screen according to the invention is particularly silent during engine maneuvers.

The invention is not therefore reserved for autonomous type applications and is also possible to use it with a flexible wire connection to power the motors and thus benefit from the acoustic advantage.

"At least substantially perpendicular" means "perpendicularly" or "substantially perpendicular".

Claims (15)

1. A device (100; 100 '; 100 ") motorized actuator for the operation of a rolling screen mobile screen (2) of a device (1; 1'; 1") of window cover or projection screen, the motorized operating device being intended to be suspended by the fabric and comprising: - a winding tube (4) movable about a first axis (X1-X1 ') and on which the fabric is intended for winding, - an actuator (5) arranged at least partially in the tube, - a first fastening means (6, 6a) of a first end of the fabric to the winding tube, the weight of the device of actuator creating a running torque of the fabric, characterized in that it comprises means (6b, 7, 7 ', 7 ", 8, 9a, 9b) for compensating the unwinding torque acting exclusively by interaction with gravity and / or with the canvas. 2. Motorized device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for compensating the unwinding torque acts by applying a force of the fabric on the latter and / or by applying the weight of a mass thereof. . 3. Motorized device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator comprises a first portion (5a) and a second portion (5b) rotated relative to each other along the first axis when the actuator is activated and locked relative to each other when the actuator is not activated, the first part being rotatably connected to the winding tube and the second part of the motor being connected to the compensation means . 4. Motorized device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second part comprises an output shaft of the actuator (15b, 15c). 5. Motorized device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second part is a housing of the actuator (25a, 35a). 6. Motorized device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation means comprises at least one lateral element (7, 7 ', 7 "), connected to the second part outside the winding tube and s extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the first axis a distance (R2) greater than the largest winding radius (R1) of the web 15 when the web is fully wound on the winding tube. 7. Motorized device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the compensation means comprises a roller (9a) mounted on a free shaft (9b) movable about a second axis (X2- X2 ') parallel to the first axis and connected to the side member at a distance from the first axis (R3) greater than the largest winding radius, the roll being in contact with an outer surface (2a) of the fabric, at least when the actuator is not activated and the unwinding torque being at least balanced by the effort of the fabric on the moving roll. 8. Motorized device according to claim 7, characterized in that the compensation means comprises an additional mass (8) connected to the lateral element at a distance from the first axis (R3) greater than the largest winding radius, the balance of the unwinding torque being caused by the torque created by the weight of the lateral element and the additional mass and requiring no contact of the compensation means with the fabric. 9. Motorized device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the additional mass comprises a photovoltaic type panel (8a) and / or a reserve of electrical energy (8b). 10. Motorized device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the lateral element is fixed to a substantially cylindrical profile (12) along a radius greater than the largest winding radius, surrounding the winding tube. and provided with a slot (12a) parallel to the first axis. 11. Motorized device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the lateral element comprises a flange (7 ', 7 "). 12. Motorized device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second means (6b) for fixing a second end of the fabric (2s) to the unwinding torque compensation means. 13. Device (1; 1 '; 1 ") for covering a window or projection screen comprising an operating device according to one of the preceding claims and a movable screen including a fabric. 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a second means (3) for fixing a second end of the fabric (2s) to a frame (10) fixed. 30 15. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a tube (21) for returning the fabric, the return tube beingmobile in free rotation about a third axis (X3-X3 "parallel to the first axis.