FR3101101A1 - Illuminated roller blind - Google Patents

Abstract

Roller blind (1), in particular for window, terrace or storefront, said roller blind (1) comprising a winding mechanism (30), around a horizontal axis of rotation (X), and a flexible panel (10), connected to said winding mechanism (30), adapted to intercept or filter light and which, for this purpose, can be lowered and raised at will by means of the winding mechanism (30), said winding mechanism (30) comprising a tube (310) around which the panel (10) and fasteners (330A, 330B) can wrap around said tube (310) on a fixed structure (60), said panel (10) comprising at least one pocket ( 110) formed between two layers of material of the panel (10), in which is placed a luminous slab (20) and at least one opening (120) formed in the material of the panel (10) at the level of said pocket (110) in order to to allow the passage of the light generated by said light panel (20).

Description

Luminous roller blind

The invention relates to the field of rollable flexible panels and more particularly to a luminous roller blind, in particular for windows or storefronts.

The invention aims in particular to provide a luminous roller blind which provides significant lighting, in particular to be able to display characters, logos, images or videos, for example for advertising purposes.

State of the art

In known manner, a roller blind is in the form of a mobile panel, made of fabric or light material, fixed to the upper part of a glazed opening, inside or outside the frame, to intercept or dim the light and which, for this purpose, can be lowered and raised at will thanks to a winding mechanism around a horizontal axis. The winding mechanism can in particular be controlled using a chain, a cord, a crank or electrically.

In order to confer a soft lighting function on a roller blind, it is known from the international patent application WO2012084822A2 to insert a sheath containing diodes in a tunnel arranged along a ballast bar of said blind. In this solution, the lighting is produced by diffusion through the fabric of the awning panel so as to produce subdued lighting in the dark, diodes on, while being invisible during the day, diodes off. In addition, the power supply to the diodes, which consume little energy, is carried out using an accumulator placed in a box fixed to the ballast bar.

This solution has several drawbacks. First of all, it does not display characters, logos, images or videos, especially day and night. Then, it requires the use of a weight bar, which complicates the structure of the roller blind. In addition, this solution only allows weak, subdued lighting. Finally, this solution does not allow the use of luminous elements requiring high power, in particular luminous elements requiring a connection to the domestic electrical network.

There is therefore a need for a simple, reliable and effective luminous roller blind solution allowing significant lighting, in particular to display characters or logos, images or videos.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a roller blind, in particular for a window, terrace or storefront, said roller blind comprising a winding mechanism, around a horizontal axis of rotation, and a flexible panel, connected to said mechanism of winding, adapted to intercept or sift the light and which, for this purpose, can be lowered and raised at will thanks to the winding mechanism, said winding mechanism comprising a tube around which the panel can be rolled up and organs for fixing said tube to a fixed structure, for example a wall or a window frame, said panel comprising at least one pocket formed between two thicknesses of material of the panel, in which is placed a luminous panel and at least one opening formed in the material of the panel at the level of said pocket in order to allow the passage of the light generated by said luminous panel.

Thus, thanks to the luminous panel inserted in a dedicated pocket, the roller blind according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to diffuse the light emitted by the luminous panel through one or more openings. For example, the opening or openings may have the shapes of characters or logos, in particular in order to highlight a name or a brand, or else a geometric shape, for example rectangular, in order to allow the broadcasting of images or videos by the luminous panel, both day and night. When the panel is in the rolled-up position, the part comprising the light panel, preferably located at the bottom of the panel, can remain visible, which can for example be advantageous for a business and deprive itself of a weight bar in the panel. . It will be noted that the panel could comprise several pockets and several light tiles inserted into said pockets.

Preferably, the panel is made of fabric or a flexible material, preferably light, such as a plastic material in order to be able to unroll and roll up easily on the tube.

In one embodiment, the blind is adapted to be fixed on a structure defining a glazed opening. In particular, the roller blind can be fixed to the upper part of a structure, for example inside or outside a window or bay window frame.

According to one aspect of the invention, the roller blind comprises an electric cable making it possible to connect the light panel to an electric power source.

Advantageously, the electrical power source is a domestic electrical network, delivering for example a voltage of 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.

Alternatively, the electrical power source can be an external power supply module, for example an electric battery and/or a solar panel placed near the roller blind and connected to the light panel via the electric cable.

As a variant or in addition, the roller blind may comprise an electric battery, for example rechargeable, and/or a solar panel in order to supply the light panel with electrical energy. Such a battery can be inserted into a pocket formed in the thickness of the panel, or fixed on one side of the panel or even fixed on the winding mechanism.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the roller blind comprises a rotary (or rotary) commutator comprising a stator, mounted on the fixing members and capable of being connected to the source of electrical power, and a rotor mounted in a rotatable manner on said stator, electrically connected to the electric cable and fixed to the tube of the winding mechanism in an integral manner in order to drive it in rotation, the stator being able to transfer the current supplied by the electric power source to the rotor so that said rotor transmits it to the light panel via the electric cable. Thus, when the electrical power source is connected to the roller blind via the winding mechanism, the rotary collector makes it possible to transfer the energy supplied by the electrical power source to the light panel via the winding mechanism and the electrical cable while preventing the rotation of the tube from causing the rotation of the electrical wiring of the fixed part of the winding mechanism, which is connected to the electrical power source. The electrical cable connecting the luminous slab to the rotor can thus wind up as it goes along with the panel on the tube while continuing to conduct the electrical current, supplied by the electrical power source via the stator and the rotor, towards the light panel. The rotary collector can advantageously be used when the drive of the tube in rotation is carried out manually.

According to one aspect of the invention, the tube of the winding mechanism is at least partly hollow in order to receive the rotor of the rotary commutator.

Advantageously, the electric cable is connected to the rotor of the rotary collector through the tube.

As a variant of the rotary collector, the roller blind could comprise a system of hollow rotor and stator, said stator being mounted on the fixing members, able to be connected to the source of electrical power and able to drive the rotor, electrically hollow or manually, said hollow rotor being rotatably mounted on said stator, electrically connected to the electric cable, fixed to the tube of the winding mechanism in an integral manner in order to drive it in rotation and comprising an opening passing right through the rotor at its axis of rotation, the electric cable then connecting the light panel to the stator or to the electric power source by passing through the rotor through said opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, the panel has two thicknesses of material over its entire surface.

In this case, advantageously, the electric cable is arranged between the two thicknesses of material of the panel.

Also advantageously, the roller blind comprises a strip of material, preferably of substantially the same thickness as the electric cable, extending along the panel at a distance from the electric cable so as to compensate for the thickness of the electric cable during winding the panel on the tube. Such a ribbon makes it possible to balance the winding of the panel on the tube so that the winding of the panel is straight and thus prevents it from being offset due to the thickness of the electric cable between the thicknesses of the rolled up panel, on one side of it.

Preferably, the luminous tile is a lighting tile or a display tile.

In one embodiment, the luminous slab is a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting slab, preferably visible day and night.

Advantageously, the luminous panel is a display panel of the electroluminescent, LCD, OLED®, QLED®, plasma type or any other technology suitable for displaying images and/or videos, preferably visible day and night.

In one embodiment, the luminous tile is connected to a communication network, preferably on a wireless communication link, in order to control it remotely. Such a command can for example make it possible to remotely control the display of the light panel, in particular when the light panel projects images or videos.

Advantageously, the winding mechanism is capable of being controlled using a chain, a cord, a crank or else electrically.

The invention also relates to a folding blind, in particular of the Venetian type, in particular for a window, terrace or storefront, said folding blind comprising a set of panels intended to be fixed to the upper part of a structure, to intercept or filter the light and which, for this purpose, can be lowered, raised and tilted at will thanks to a deployment mechanism, in particular vertical deployment, said deployment mechanism comprising a support on which the set of panels is fixed and fastening members of said support on the structure, said set of panels comprising at least one pocket formed in its lower part, for example made of fabric or a light and flexible material, in which is placed a luminous panel, at least one opening being formed in said pocket in order to allow the passage of the light generated by said light panel.

Description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings on which:
: Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the roller blind according to the invention.
: Figure 2 schematically illustrates the winding mechanism as well as the rotary collector of the roller blind of Figure 1.
: Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary commutator and of the first fixing support of the fixing members of the winding mechanism of the roller blind of Figure 1.
: Figure 4 schematically illustrates the rear face of the roller blind of Figure 1.
Detailed description of at least one embodiment

The roller blind according to the invention is intended to be mounted on a structure to both intercept or sift daylight and allow visible lighting both day and night, for example to display characters, logos, pictures or videos. In one use, the roller blind is adapted to be mounted on a structure defining an opening, for example glazed. For this purpose, the roller blind can for example be attached to the upper part of a structure inside or outside a window frame. In other examples of application, the roller blind according to the invention could be used on a storefront, in front of a house or garage entrance, on a cheek of a roof or of a folding terrace blind, in a awning, such as a curtain or a tarpaulin, for example a truck cover, or any other application requiring the use of a roller blind type device.

There is shown in Figure 1 an embodiment of the roller blind 1 according to the invention.

The roller blind 1 comprises a flexible panel 10, a luminous panel 20 and a winding mechanism 30. In the example illustrated in the figures, the roller blind 1 further comprises an electric cable 40 (FIG. 4) making it possible to connect the light panel 20 to an electrical power source 50.

Sign 10

The panel 10 is made of fabric or a flexible material that can be rolled up, preferably a lightweight material.

The panel 10 is adapted to intercept or sift the light. For this purpose, the panel 10 can be lowered and raised at will thanks to the winding mechanism 30 around a horizontal axis X.

The panel 10 comprises a pocket 110 formed between two thicknesses of material of the panel 10, in which is placed the light plate 20. A plurality of openings 120 are formed in the material of the panel 10 at the level of said pocket 110 in order to allow the passage of the light generated by said light panel 20. The panel 10 may comprise one or more openings 120 on each face at the level of the light panel 20 in order to illuminate both faces of the panel 10.

In the example shown, openings 120 are formed in panel 10 so as to, in this non-limiting example, form letters "A B C" through which light from light panel 20 can pass, thereby forming an illuminated string of alphanumeric characters. As a variant, the panel 10 could include an opening 120 of rectangular shape so that a large fraction of the light emitted by the light panel 20 is diffused outwards or a large portion of the light panel 20 is visible. in particular to distribute images and videos. Alternatively, characters or logos could be screen printed on the light panel 20, for example for advertising or informational purposes.

Luminous slab 20

The luminous panel 20 can be a lighting panel or a display panel, in particular of rectangular shape. In the case of a lighting panel, the light panel 20 is preferably a panel with light-emitting diodes (LED or LED in English). In the case of a display panel, the luminous panel 20 is preferably of the electroluminescent, LCD, OLED®, QLED®, plasma or any other suitable technology type.

The light panel 20 can be connected to a communication network (not shown), preferably on a wireless communication link, in order to control it remotely, in particular to turn it on or off. For example, in the case of a display panel, for example of the LCD, OLED®, QLED®, plasma type, the remote control can make it possible to control the display of the luminous panel 20, for example to choose images or videos to display.

Winding mechanism 30

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the winding mechanism 30 comprises a tube 310, around which the panel 10 can be wound, a rotary collector 320 and fixing members 330A, 330B of said tube 310 on a structure 60 external to said roller blind 1, for example a window structure, a beam, a wall, etc.

In the non-limiting example illustrated in the figures, with reference to Figure 2, the tube 310 is cylindrical, of circular section and hollow. An orifice 310A is formed in the wall 320B of the tube 310 in order to allow the passage of the electric cable 40.

In the example illustrated, the fixing members comprise a first fixing support 330A and a second fixing support 330B fixed to the structure 60. The tube 310 is mounted horizontally (that is to say according to the terrestrial horizontal) rotatably, along an axis of rotation X, between the first mounting bracket 330A and the second mounting bracket 330B. In this example, the tube 310 is fixed on the second fixing support 330B via a fixing pin 315.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the rotary commutator 320 includes a stator 320A, mounted on the first mounting bracket 330A, and a rotor 320B or rotating part, rotatably mounted on said stator 320A. The rotary collector 320 makes it possible to create an electrical connection between the stator 320A and the rotor 320B in the case of a multi-turn rotation in order to avoid twisting of the cables connected on the one hand to the stator 320A, which is fixed, and cables connected to the rotor 320B which is mobile.

For example, rotary manifold 320 may be a slip ring or C.E.T. (rotary electrical commutator) or a rotary commutator commutator which makes it possible to create an electrical connection between the stator and the rotor with a switching function during rotation.

A rotating ring commutator consists of an electrically conductive ring (usually copper), attached by an insulating spacer to the axis of the machine. The electrical connection is created between the ring and the fixed part, the terminal block, by a “brush” made from carbon (or a flexible metal blade in very small machines), usually called “brushes”. With two rings and two brushes, it is possible to transfer the electricity produced by the rotor windings out of the rotating machine or, conversely, to supply the rotor winding(s).

A rotary commutator consists of an electrically conductive ring (usually copper), sectioned into an even number of parts insulated from each other, fixed with an insulating spacer on the axis of the machine. The electrical connection is created between the conductive parts and the part fixed to the stator (terminal block), by one or more pairs of carbon-based brushes (or flexible metal blades for very small machines) positioned respectively at 180° . Electricity is supplied to the winding of the rotor by these contacts (operation as a motor) or, on the contrary, the electricity produced by the winding of the rotor is recovered (operation as a generator).

Still with reference to FIG. 3, the rotor 320B, made for example of plastic material, comprises a first cylindrical portion 320B1 and a second cylindrical portion 320B2 both extending along the axis of rotation X. The first cylindrical portion 320B1 comprises a free end 320B11, having a flat circular face, and a connecting end 320B12, connected to the second cylindrical portion 320B2. The first cylindrical portion 320B1 is force-fitted into one 310C of the ends of the hollow tube 310 so that the tube 310 and the rotor 320B are integral in rotation. The second cylindrical portion 320B2, of a larger diameter than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 320B1, also comprises a free end 320B21, having an annular shape surrounding a cavity 320B22 of cylindrical shape, and a connecting end 320B23, connected to the connecting end 320B12 of the first cylindrical portion 320B1. Advantageously, the first cylindrical portion 320B1 and the second cylindrical portion 320B2 of the rotor 320B are made from the same material, for example by molding a plastic material. The cylindrical cavity 320B22 extends along the axis of rotation X, is of circular section and opens onto the free annular end 320B21 of the second cylindrical portion 320B2 of the rotor 320B.

Still with reference to Figure 3, the stator 320A comprises a cylindrical portion 320A1 of circular section and a circular fixing platform 320A2 of a diameter greater than the diameter of said cylindrical portion 320A1. The cylindrical portion 320A1 and the fixing platform 320A2 are made from the same material, for example a plastic material. The fixing platform 320A2 allows the mounting of the stator 320A on the first fixing support 330A of the winding mechanism 30, for example by means of screws. The cylindrical portion 320A1 of the stator 320A is adapted to be inserted into the cylindrical cavity 320B22 of the rotor 320B so that the rotor 320B can rotate on said cylindrical portion 320A1 of the stator 320A, for example by sliding.

The stator 320A is electrically connected to an electrical power source 50, which can for example be a 50 or 60 Hz domestic electrical network. a battery mounted in the panel 10 or in the winding mechanism 30 or even mounted outside the roller blind 1.

The electric cable 40 connects the luminous panel 20 to the rotor 320B via the orifice 310A formed in the wall 310B of the tube 310. The wires constituting the electric cable 40, for example a phase wire and an Earth wire, are fixed on the rotor 320B, preferably at the free end 320B11 of said rotor 320B.

The stator 320A is electrically connected to the electrical power source 50 so as to transmit the electrical energy to the rotor 320B which in turn transmits it to the electrical cable 40 in order to electrically supply the light panel 20.

In this example, the tube 310 is driven in rotation mechanically using a chain 340 extending vertically along one side of the panel 10 in order to roll up or unroll the flexible panel 10 in this way. As a variant, the tube 310 could be driven in rotation by any other mechanical (cord, crank, etc.) or electrical means.

When the tube 310 is driven in rotation, the rotor 320B, which is integral in rotation with the tube 310, rotates on the stator 320A while allowing both the winding or unwinding of the electric cable 40 between the superimposed layers of the panel 10 wound and the transmission of the electric current between the electric power source 50 and the luminous panel 20.

Referring to Figure 4, the roller blind 1 advantageously comprises in this example a strip 45, arranged along the panel 10 at a distance from the electric cable 40 so as not to overlap with said electric cable 40 when winding the panel 10 but making it possible to compensate for the thickness of the electric cable 40 when the panel 10 is rolled up to prevent the panel 10 from being rolled up askew on the tube 310.

The luminous roller blind 1 according to the invention therefore advantageously makes it possible to diffuse light or images with a luminous panel 20 inserted into a pocket 110 of the panel 10 of the roller blind 1. The luminous panel 20 can advantageously be electrically powered by electric cable 40 using a winding mechanism 40 provided with a rotary commutator 320.

Claims (10)

Roller blind (1), in particular for a window, terrace or storefront, said roller blind (1) comprising a winding mechanism (30), around a horizontal axis of rotation (X), and a flexible panel (10), connected to said winding mechanism (30), adapted to intercept or filter light and which, for this purpose, can be lowered and raised at will by means of the winding mechanism (30), said winding mechanism (30) comprising a tube (310) around which the panel (10) can be wound and fasteners (330A, 330B) of said tube (310) on a fixed structure (60), said panel (10) comprising at least one pocket ( 110) formed between two thicknesses of material of the panel (10), in which is placed a light plate (20) and at least one opening (120) formed in the material of the panel (10) at the level of said pocket (110) in order to to allow the passage of the light generated by said luminous panel (20). Roller blind (1) according to claim 1, said roller blind (1) comprising an electric cable (40) allowing the light panel (20) to be connected to an electric power source (50). Roller blind (1) according to the preceding claim, said roller blind (1) comprising a rotary commutator (320) comprising a stator (320A), mounted on the fixing members (330A, 330B) and able to be connected to the source of power supply (50), and a rotor (320B) rotatably mounted on said stator (320A), electrically connected to the electric cable (40) and fixed to the tube (310) of the winding mechanism (30) in an integral manner in order to drive it in rotation, the stator (320A) being capable of transferring the current supplied by the electrical power source (50) to the rotor (320B) so that the said rotor (320B) transmits it to the luminous panel (20 ) via the electrical cable (40). Roller blind (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the panel (10) comprises two thicknesses of material over its entire surface. Roller blind (1) according to the preceding claim, in which, the roller blind (1) comprising an electric cable (40) allowing the light panel (20) to be connected to an electric power source (50), the electric cable is arranged between the two thicknesses of material of the panel (10). Roller blind (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, comprising a ribbon (45) of material extending along the panel (10) at a distance from the electric cable (40) so as to compensate for the thickness of the electrical cable (40) when winding the panel (10) on the tube (310). Roller blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said roller blind (1) comprising an electric battery and/or a solar panel in order to supply the light panel (20). Roller blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light panel (20) is a lighting panel or a display panel. Roller blind (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the luminous panel (20) is a lighting panel with light-emitting diodes or a display panel of the electroluminescent type, LCD, OLED®, QLED®, plasma or any other technology suitable for displaying images and/or videos, preferably visible day and night. Roller blind (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light panel (20) is connected to a communication network, preferably on a wireless communication link, in order to control it remotely.