US20130269887A1 - Programmable motor for window coverings - Google Patents
Programmable motor for window coverings Download PDFInfo
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- US20130269887A1 US20130269887A1 US13/914,054 US201313914054A US2013269887A1 US 20130269887 A1 US20130269887 A1 US 20130269887A1 US 201313914054 A US201313914054 A US 201313914054A US 2013269887 A1 US2013269887 A1 US 2013269887A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- window covering
- architectural window
- motors
- architectural
- shade
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02P—CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS
- H02P5/00—Arrangements specially adapted for regulating or controlling the speed or torque of two or more electric motors
- H02P5/74—Arrangements specially adapted for regulating or controlling the speed or torque of two or more electric motors controlling two or more ac dynamo-electric motors
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
- E06B9/68—Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
- E06B9/72—Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller
Abstract
An architectural window covering having a programmable electric motor is disclosed. The architectural window covering includes a head rail comprising at least one cavity, a shade coupled to the head rail, a bottom rail coupled to the shade, and at least two tandem stacked motors coupled to the shade via a drive rail such that the at least two motors fit within the at least one cavity of the head rail.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/459,556 filed on Apr. 30, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,461,784 entitled “Programmable Motor For Window Coverings”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/177,330 filed on Jul. 22, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,193,742 and entitled “Programmable Motor For Window Coverings”, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in their entireties.
- The various embodiments of the present invention relate to electrically powered coverings for architectural openings. More specifically, apparatuses, processes, systems and methods are disclosed for providing motorized operation for architectural window coverings.
- Methods and systems for automatically controlling window coverings have become desirable over the past several decades. Such systems often utilize some type of motor to control the operation of the window coverings. This motor is often implemented within the top of the architectural window covering in a portion referred to as the “head rail”. Because the motor may be implemented within the head rail, depending upon its size, it may cause the head rail to be undesirably large. It may be desirable to minimize the size of the head rail for a variety of reasons. For example, if the head rail is too large it may obstruct the view through the window.
- The size of the motor often depends upon the mechanical torque and/or lifting requirements of the window covering, which in turn, may be dependent upon the size of the window that is being covered and the particular covering being used. In general, larger windows and/or heavier window coverings may require either a large motor that is capable of providing an adequate amount of torque or a smaller motor along with accompanying gearing to provide an adequate amount of torque. Both the larger motor and the smaller motor with accompanying gearing may undesirably consume a great deal of space within the head rail or may generate excessive noise. Thus methods and systems are needed for implementing and controlling motors in window coverings while minimizing their impact on the size of the head rail.
- An architectural window covering having a programmable electric motor is disclosed. The architectural window covering includes a head rail comprising at least one cavity, a shade coupled to the head rail, a bottom rail coupled to the shade, and at least two tandem stacked motors coupled to the shade via a drive rail such that the at least two motors fit within the at least one cavity of the head rail.
- A method of operating an architectural window covering is also disclosed. The method may comprise the operations of monitoring two or more motors, whereby the motors are physically coupled together in tandem within a head rail of the architectural window covering and whereby the motors are electrically coupled together in a parallel fashion. The method further may comprise measuring a movement characteristic associated with at least one of the two or more motors and generating an error signal based on the movement characteristic associated with at least one of the two or more motors.
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FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary window covering. -
FIG. 1B is an end view of the exemplary architectural window covering shown inFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 2A is a top view of the exemplary architectural window covering shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B . -
FIG. 2B is an alternative tubular motor enclosure. -
FIG. 2C is an exemplary drive rail encoder pattern. -
FIG. 2D is an enlarged exploded partial cross-section view of the tubular motor enclosure ofFIG. 2B ; -
FIG. 3A is an exemplary block diagram of a window covering. -
FIG. 3B depicts exemplary signals associated with angular measurements of a drive rail within a window covering. - The use of the same reference numerals in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.
- A programmable motor arrangement that fits within a head rail of an architectural window covering is disclosed. The programmable motor arrangement may include at least two motors that are tandem stacked within the head rail along with accompanying circuitry. By stacking the motors in a tandem fashion, the amount of radial space that they consume within the head rail may be minimized. Additionally, the motors may be electrically connected in parallel and controlled using pulse-width-modulated signals.
- The programmable motor arrangement also may include one or more depressible switches that may be implemented in the head rail of the window covering. In some embodiments, these switches may be located proximate to LEDs that also are within the head rail and are visible to the user through light pipes. The light pipes may be coupled physically to the switches and optically to the LEDs. In this manner, the combination of the switches, LEDs, and light pipes may operate jointly to allow the user to enter programming information into the circuitry accompanying the motor arrangement. The LEDs may also be used to communicate failure of the embodiment and/or motor to the user, as well as other statistical, historical or operational information.
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FIGS. 1A and 1B show an exemplary architecturalwindow covering assembly 100 according to at least one embodiment. Theassembly 100 includes ahead rail 102, abottom rail 104, and ashade 106. (The terms “shade” and “covering” are used generally interchangeably herein.) In some embodiments, thehead rail 102 andbottom rail 104 may be formed from aluminum, plastic, or some other light weight materials. Theexemplary shade 106 shown inFIG. 1 includes an expandable and contractible covering made from a light fabric and/or paper, although various covering implementations are possible. Theexemplary shade 106 also is shown to be a cellular honeycomb shade, however, a pleated shade, horizontal slats, and/or other liftable coverings may also be used. - As seen in
FIGS. 1A and 1B , thehead rail 102 may include abottom panel 108, aback panel 110,end caps 112 and afront panel 114. Thefront panel 114 may be hinged by pins (not shown), attached at its upper end corners, to theend caps 112. This may facilitate access to thecavity 116 within thehead rail 102 behind the front panel'sfront surface 118. Alternatively, thefront panel 114 may be hinged to thebottom member 108, or even be fully removable and snapped onto the rest of thehead rail 102. -
FIG. 1B shows one embodiment where a plurality oflift cords 120 may descend from within thehead rail 102, pass through the cells of thehoneycomb shade 106, to thebottom rail 104 where they are secured. As such, the weight of thebottom rail 104 and theshade 106 may be supported by thelift cords 120. It should be noted that while thelift cords 120 are discussed herein as tubular strings, this is merely an exemplary implementation. Thelift cords 120 may be made of any type of material and take many physical forms, such as ribbon shaped pieces of fabric or the like. In some embodiments, thelift cords 120 may be eliminated altogether and theshade 106 may be rolled upon a shaft within thehead rail 102. -
FIG. 2A shows a top view of thecavity 116 of thehead rail 102 according to one embodiment. As shown, thecavity 116 may includepower circuitry 202 and two ormore motors 205A-B that fit within the dimensions of thehead rail 102. In some embodiments, themotors 205A-B may be tubular motors arranged in a tandem fashion within thehead rail 102. As shown, themotor 205B may physically couple to themotor 205A via acoupler 210B. Similarly, themotor 205A may physically couple to adrive rail 212 via anoutput shaft 210A. In some embodiments, thedrive rail 212 may operatively engage a rotatablemounted reel 225, and thelift cords 120 may be positioned on thereel 225 such that they are wound and unwound about thereel 225 during operation. - In other embodiments, the
motors 205A-B may be tubular motors located within amotor housing 206 as shown inFIG. 2B . Themotor housing 206, in turn, may be seated within anidler ring 284. A shroud (not shown) may rest atop theidler ring 284 and be connected to adrive gear 285. As themotors motor housing 206 may remain stationary, as may the shroud. By contrast, thedrive gear 285 may be rotated by the action of the motors. The drive gear is connected or affixed to theshade 106. Thus, as the drive gear rotates, theshade 106 is extended or retracted depending on the direction of rotation of the gear. It should be noted thatFIGS. 2A and 2B depict alternative embodiments of a dual-motor drive system as described herein. Further, it should be noted that the layout, configuration, spacing and/or order of elements in such embodiments may vary. - During operation, the
motors 205A-B may be electrically coupled together in a parallel fashion. In some embodiments, themotors 205A-B may be controlled using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal. By varying the duty cycle of the PWM signal the average voltage delivered to themotors 205A-B may be controlled to match the operating conditions of the architectural window covering 100. For example, a low average voltage for the PWM signal (e.g., duty cycle 20%) may correspond to moving the architectural window covering 100 relatively slow while a high average voltage for the PWM signal (e.g., duty cycle 80%) may correspond to moving the window covering relatively fast. - By implementing two or more tandem stacked motors, the
head rail 102 may be kept as compact as possible while providing additional torque to optimize the mechanical strength provided to operate the architecturalwindow covering assembly 100. For example, if the architecturalwindow covering assembly 100 is fashioned about an unusually long window, where the weight of the architectural window covering may be greater than normal, one or more additional tandem stacked motors may be added to thehead rail 102 as necessary to handle the additional mechanical strength requirements. - In addition, the use of multiple tandem motors may allow certain embodiments to generate sufficient torque to raise or lower the shade 106 (or other covering for an architectural opening) while simultaneously reducing gearbox ratios. In a standard drive system for a shade, a single motor requires a relatively high rotational speed given the gearing of the motor. This, in turn, often leads to the motor producing an audible noise during operation. By contrast, certain embodiments may operate the
motors - As illustrated in
FIG. 2A , adrive rail encoder 230 may be coupled to thedrive rail 212. Theencoder 230 may includemultiple regions 235 angularly positioned about thedrive rail 212. As thedrive rail 212 moves in an angular direction, theregions 235 pass by one or moreangular sensors 240 that may be read by acontrol circuit 245. (The control circuit is described in more detail below with regard toFIG. 3A ). During operation, theencoder 230 may indicate angular movement of thedrive rail 212, such as the angular position, velocity, and/or acceleration of thedrive rail 212 to name but a few. In some embodiments, themicroprocessor 305 may use theencoder 230 to profile the movement of themotors 205A-B. For example, themicroprocessor 305 may monitor movement of the motors to track the position of the architectural window covering 100 in the window. -
FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative encoder arrangement where amagnet 246 is coupled to the end of themotor 205A. As themotor 205A rotates, themagnet 246 may be read by aHall Effect sensor 247 to encode the pattern of rotation or mark relative position. Position, in this instance, is marked relative to an index since the Hall Effect sensor counts the number of times a pole of themagnet 246 passes the sensor. Accordingly, since the Hall Effect sensor only counts these “ticks” without reference to an absolute start, the measurement is made relative to an index. Further, themagnet 246 typically is not a single magnet, but instead a number of magnets arrayed with opposing poles side-by-side. For example, a circularmagnetic array 246 may be made of eight (or more, or fewer) wedge-shaped magnets positioned such that the polarity of each magnet alternates. It should be noted that themagnet 246 andHall Effect sensor 247 cooperate to replace theoptical wheel 230 andsensors 240 described in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplarydrive rail encoder 235 pattern arrangement including shaded 250 and unshaded 255 regions. In the embodiments where the encoder is themagnet 246, the shaded andunshaded regions Hall Effect sensor 247 may profile the rotational movement of themagnet 246 by measuring changes in magnetic polarity. In other embodiments, theshaded regions 250 may be physical openings in the surface of thedrive rail encoder 235 and theunshaded regions 255 may be closed portions of the same. In this manner, the one ormore sensors 240 may be optical sensors that detect whether light emanates through the regions (as may be the case for the region 250) or light is blocked by the regions (as may be the case with the region 255). Regardless of the particular implementation, the shaded andunshaded regions concentric rings first ring 260 may be designated as the least significant bit, thesecond ring 265 may be designated as the next most significant bit, and thethird ring 270 may be designated as the most significant bit. - In the exemplary
drive rail encoder 230, theregions regions 255 produce a binary 1 value and the unshaded regions provide a binary 0 value. Groups of concentric regions may be designated as sectors. For example, the sector between 0 and 45 degrees is shown assector 275 where all three regions within thesector 275 are unshaded and therefore the value ofsector 275 is binary 000. The angular position, velocity, and acceleration of thedrive rail 212 may be determined by monitoring the sequence of measurements from thedrive rail encoder 230. For example, if the encoder readings go from 000 to 111 then thedrive rail 212 is moving angularly in the counter-clock wise direction. The following table summarizes the binary encoding of the various sectors 275-289 of the exemplary drive rail encoder shown inFIG. 2C . -
Representative Sector Ring 260 Ring 270Ring 275Angle 275 0 0 0 0° to 45° 277 0 0 1 45° to 90° 279 0 1 0 90° to 135° 281 0 1 1 135° to 180° 283 1 0 0 180° to 225° 285 1 0 1 225° to 270° 287 1 1 0 270° to 315° 289 1 1 1 315° to 360° - Alternative arrangements to the exemplary
drive rail encoder 230 are possible, for example, in some embodiments, Gray coding may be implemented instead of binary encoding. In other embodiments, the encoder may be integrated with other components within theassembly 100, such as thereel 225. In still other embodiments, any number ofdrive rail encoders 230 may be implemented, for example each of themotors 205A-B may have separate encoders. - Referring again to the exemplary implementations shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B , thecontrol circuitry 245 may convert angular movement reported by the one ormore sensors 240 into electrical impulses in analog or digital form for further processing. One ormore switches 291 may be coupled to thecontrol circuitry 245. Theswitches 291 may be capable of receiving user input, for example, by acting as a depressible switch that is electrically coupled to thecontrol circuitry 245. Thecontrol circuit 245 also may couple to one ormore LEDs 292 that emanate light. In some embodiments, theLEDs 292 may communicate the operational status of the window covering 100 to the user. In other embodiments, theLEDs 292 may communicate user programming settings effectuated through the one ormore switches 291. (The LEDs are not shown onFIG. 2A , but are shown onFIG. 2B .) - As shown in
FIG. 2A , the one ormore switches 291 and the one ormore LEDs 292 may be recessed in thehead rail 102 and may couple through thecavity 116 via the one or morelight pipes 293. In this manner, the one or morelight pipes 293 may be made of fiber optic material that is capable of being formed into pathways so that light from the one ormore switches 291 may be routed from within thecavity 116 to the user. Thus, the one ormore switches 291 and the one ormore LEDs 292 in combination with the one or morelight pipes 293 may communicate various operational and/or programming options between the user and thecontrol circuitry 245. For example, the one or morelight pipes 293 may couple light from the one ormore LEDs 292 to the user viewing thefront panel 114. Additionally, the one or morelight pipes 293 may be physically pressed by the user, and the one or morelight pipes 293 in turn, may couple this to the to the one ormore switches 291. Thus, the one or morelight pipes 293 may provide mechanical coupling of the one ormore switches 291 through thecavity 116 to the user. It should be noted that one light pipe is shown in an exploded or disassembled position while the other two are shown in an operating position. - One exemplary implementation of the
switches 291, theLEDs 292, and thelight pipes 293, as shown inFIG. 2B , will now be discussed. Thelight pipe 293 may be a clear plastic part with a hole 294 whereby thelight pipe 293 may pivot about this hole 294 when the light pipe 294 is fixed through the hole 294. Further down the light pipe 293 afoot 295 may extend off and rests on theswitch 291. Thelight pipe 293 may protrude through themotor housing 206 allowing the user to depress this protruding end in actuating theswitch 291. By depressing thelight pipe 293, it may rotate about the pivot point and cause thefoot 295 to push on theswitch 291. - In some embodiments, the user may program predetermined thresholds using the one more
light pipes 293. These thresholds may include how far up or down the architectural window covering 100 may be within the window. Also, the one ormore LEDs 292 may be used to echo the programming selections and/or stored threshold values back to the user during programming. In some embodiments, these thresholds may be changed dynamically by the user operating the architectural window covering 100. -
FIG. 3A represents a block diagram of the window covering 100 illustrating an exemplary configuration for thecontrol circuitry 245. As shown, thecontrol circuit 245 may include amicroprocessor 305 coupled to abridge circuit 310. In some embodiments, thebridge 310 may include one or more field-effect-transistors (FETs) that provide power to themotors 205A-B. In other embodiments, thebridge 310 includes insulated-gate-bipolar-transistors (IGBTs) that combine the advantages of a FET with the advantages of a bipolar transistor when providing power to themotors 205A-B. During operation, the microprocessor may monitor angular measurements of themotors 205A-B from the combination of thesensor 240 and theencoder 230. - Angular measurement may also be obtained from the
magnet 246 andHall Effect sensor 247, insofar as thesensor 247 may detect every time a certain magnetic polarity is adjacent the sensor. Further, thesensor 247 may measure the period of each such transition. Based on these angular measurements and the periods of transition, themicroprocessor 305 may determine the distance traveled and velocity of theshade 106. Additionally, based upon measurements from the combination of thesensor 240, theencoder 230, and the up and down thresholds of the architectural window covering 100 set by the user, themicroprocessor 305 may determine the position of the architectural window covering 100 with respect to its upper and lower extension limits. Themicroprocessor 305 may generate one or more error signals 325 based upon the difference between the angular measurements of themotors 205A-B or the periods of transitions sensed by the sensor and the desired values programmed in the microprocessor 305 (e.g., exert positional control). In this manner, the combination of themicroprocessor 305, themotors 205A-B, and theencoder 230/magnet 246 may form an adaptive feedback and control loop to control overall operation of themotors 205A-B using the output of thesensor 247 orsensor 240, depending on the embodiment in question. - In particular,
FIG. 3B displays anexemplary operating curve 350 for certain embodiments when raising or lowering ashade 106. Theoperating curve 350 is shown on a graph having velocity as the Y-axis and distance as the X-axis. Here, both velocity and distance are expressed with respect to the shade 106 (e.g., the velocity and distance traveled of the shade). Initially, as themotors first equilibrium point 337, the velocity of the shade is held constant as the shade continues to travel. At asecond equilibrium point 339, the embodiment senses via thesensor 247/240 that the shade is nearing an endpoint of its travel. Accordingly, the motors decelerate the shade such that its velocity returns from a constant value to zero across a certain distance. Thus, at the end point 33, the shade's travel is complete and its velocity is zero. The first and second equilibrium points 337, 339 thus define the beginning and end of the constant velocity portion of theoperating curve 350, which is the section where the shade's velocity is in equilibrium. - In some embodiments, the window covering's velocity between the
starting point 331 and theending point 333 may be non-uniform. For example, in theexemplary operating curve 350, the architectural window covering 100 may slightly accelerate or slightly decelerate during the constant velocity segment of thecurve 350 to maintain an overall constant velocity and, for example, to correct for error or jitter in the travel of the shade. - In some embodiments, the acceleration and deceleration portions of the
operating curve 350 may be accomplished in whole, or in part, by one of themotors 205A-B. - Between the equilibrium points 337, 339, the
motors 205A-B may operate at apredetermined velocity 335. Thepredetermined velocity 335 may be preprogrammed during manufacture of the architectural window covering 100, or alternatively, may be programmed by the user after installation. - It should be noted that various operating curves may be employed. For example, the operating curve may be exponentially increasing instead of linearly increasing between
points cords 120 and adjust operation accordingly. - During non-operation, the architectural window covering 100 may be in a powered off state, for example, because the desired window position has been achieved and no further adjustments in position are desired by the user. When the user desires to move the architectural window covering 100 after being powered down, the
control circuit 245 may power itself up and determine the position of the architectural window covering prior to power down. Then, upon power up, themicroprocessor 305 may use this last known position of the architectural window covering to move the architectural window covering 100 to the user's new desired position according to theoperating curve 350 and/or last known position of thecovering 100. For example, the user may set the architectural window covering 100 to be midway between the first and second intermediate points, at a thirdintermediate point 341, and then leave the architectural window covering 100 in that position for an extended period of time. After a predetermined period of time (which may be programmed by the user into the microprocessor 305) thecontrol circuit 245 may enter a low power mode or power off completely to conserve power, and while doing so, may save the position of the architectural window covering 100 prior to power down. In this example, the last position prior to power off is theintermediate point 341. When the user later wants to readjust the position of the architectural window covering 100, thecontrol circuit 245 may power back up, determine that the last position of the architectural window covering 100 was the thirdintermediate point 341, and then move the architectural window covering according to the operating curve starting at the thirdintermediate point 341. - Referring again to
FIG. 3A , the control circuit also may include one or more optional (as indicated by the dashed boxes) interface andprotection circuits 315A-B. Theprotection circuits 315A-B may filter themicroprocessor 305 and the other circuitry within thecontrol circuit 245 from external electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESI). In addition, theprotection circuits 315A-B also may filter out internal EMI/ESI from signals coming from thecontrol circuit 245 to ensure that thecontrol circuit 245 complies with FCC requirements. - The protection and
interface circuit 315A may include one or more manual user inputs or switches to control the position of the architectural window covering 100 in the window. In some embodiments, this may include single-pole-single-throw type switches that are located at a geographically different location than the architectural window covering 100 or thecontrol circuit 245. In other embodiments, this may include a single-pole-double-throw type switch that is located at a geographically different location than the architectural window covering 100 or thecontrol circuit 245. The user may program thecontrol circuit 245 using the protection andinterface circuit 315A by actuating the switch to the up, down, and/or neutral positions. - The protection and
interface circuit 315B may include a bidirectional data interface such as an RQ™ type interface standard from Electronic Solutions, Inc. of Lafayette, Colo. The RQ™ type interface is a six conductor bidirectional full-duplex data interface. Alternative embodiments may use the unidirectional RP type data communication protocol that provides simplex communication. In still other embodiments, the protection and interface circuit 3158 may include a bidirectional data protocol or communication interface, such as the Z-Wave™ interface from Zensys. Implementing Z-Wave™ allows low power consumption, 2-way RF, mesh networking technology and battery-to-battery support. During operation, Z-Wave™ mesh networking technology routes 2-way command signals from one Z-Wave™ device to another around obstacles or radio dead spots that might occur. Additional interface types may include CAN, LON, and Zigbee to name but a few. - Regardless of the type of bidirectional data interface used, the interface may allow the
microprocessor 305 to be queried as to the present status of the architectural window covering 100. For example, in some embodiments the architectural window covering 100 is configured with a graphic on it so as to display a message or logo. The message or logo may be displayed as the architectural window covering 100 rotates its shades back and forth, which may be a function of the position of thedrive rail 212. Thus, the interface may be used to remotely control the message or logo displayed on the shades of the architectural window covering 100 by allowing the user to query the drive rail position. - In addition, a plurality of window coverings may be linked together via an interface and user commands may be echoed between window coverings within the plurality. For example, all of the window coverings on the East side of a building may be linked together via the interface and a user standing at one end of the building and desiring to operate all the window coverings in unison may provide the desired command to the architectural window covering the user happens to be standing by and have the desired command echoed to all window coverings on that same interface.
- As was mentioned above, the architectural window covering 100 may include the
power circuitry 202. As shown inFIG. 3A , thepower circuitry 202 may provide power to thebridge 310, theprotection circuits 315A-B, themicrocontroller 305, the one ormore switches 291, and or the one or moreangular sensors 240. Thepower circuitry 202 may receive a 12-24 volt DC input power and provide various output voltage levels. For example, the interface andprotection circuit 315B may operate at 10 volts while themicrocontroller 305 may operate at 5 volts. Thepower circuitry 202 is capable of supplying power at both these levels as well as many others. In some embodiments, theprotection circuit 315A may receive its power via themicrocontroller 305. In alternative embodiments, the input power may range from 12 to 40 volts DC. - The
power circuitry 202 may provide a power fail detection line to themicroprocessor 305. In the event that thepower circuitry 202 detects that the main power supplied to thepower circuitry 202 has been turned off, then it may warn themicrocontroller 305 this has occurred via the power fail detection line shown. Thepower circuitry 202 also may include the ability to implement an efficient power down scheme. In order to give thepower circuitry 202 sufficient hold-up time for the microcontroller to execute a power down sequence, thepower circuitry 202 may include a capacitor that stores enough charge to power the microcontroller while it executes the power down scheme. In some embodiments, this scheme includes determining that power is going away, for example, by the microcontroller determining that the power main has been shut off. As a result, themicroprocessor 305 may stop the two ormore motors 205A-B, monitor the deceleration of theencoder 230, and save the state of the encoder for use when the architectural window covering is powered back on. - The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, the programmable motor arrangement may find application in a variety of settings outside the context of architectural window coverings such as in garage door openers or with retractable projection screens. The claims should be interpreted to include any and all such variations and modifications. In addition, the above description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary, and is not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these embodiments.
Claims (16)
1. An architectural window covering, comprising:
a head rail comprising at least one cavity;
a shade coupled to the head rail;
a bottom rail coupled to the shade; and
at least two tandem stacked motors coupled to the shade, wherein:
the at least two motors cooperate to rotate a single drive shaft and the at least two motors fit within the at least one cavity of the head rail.
2. The architectural window covering of claim 1 , wherein the at least two tandem stacked motors are electrically coupled in parallel.
3. The architectural window covering of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cavity is defined in part by a front panel having one or more light pipes.
4. The architectural window covering of claim 1 , wherein the at least two tandem stacked motors operate according to a predefined characteristic.
5. The architectural window covering of claim 4 , wherein the predefined characteristic is defined in part by a pulse width modulated signal.
6. The architectural window covering of claim 5 , further comprising a microprocessor that stores positional information of the architectural window covering prior to powering the architectural window covering off.
7. The architectural window covering of claim 6 , where the architectural window covering operates along the predetermined characteristic at a position stored in the microprocessor prior to powering the architectural window covering off.
8. The architectural window covering of claim 1 , further comprising an encoder coupled to the shaft, wherein the movement of the architectural window covering is profiled using the encoder.
9. The architectural window covering of claim 8 , wherein each of the at least two tandem stacked motors includes an encoder.
10. A method of operating an architectural window covering, comprising the operations of:
monitoring two or more motors that cooperate to rotate a drive shaft, whereby the motors are physically coupled together in tandem within a head rail of the architectural window covering and whereby the motors are electrically coupled together in a parallel fashion;
measuring a movement characteristic associated with at least one of the two or more motors; and
generating an error signal based on the movement characteristic associated with at least one of the two or more motors.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the error signal comprises a modulated signal representing the difference between a desired movement characteristic and the measured movement characteristic.
12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the operation of programming the movement characteristic using one or more switches.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the operation of programming the movement characteristic includes the speed at which the architectural window covering moves within a window.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the operation of monitoring includes utilizing a magnetic encoder.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the operation of profiling positional information about the two or more motors based on measurements from the magnetic encoder.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the operation of storing positional information for the architectural window covering prior to powering down the architectural window covering.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/914,054 US20130269887A1 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2013-06-10 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/177,330 US8193742B2 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2008-07-22 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
US13/459,556 US8461784B2 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2012-04-30 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
US13/914,054 US20130269887A1 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2013-06-10 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/459,556 Continuation US8461784B2 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2012-04-30 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
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US13/054,359 Expired - Fee Related US8723454B2 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2009-07-22 | Motor arrangement for window coverings |
US13/459,556 Expired - Fee Related US8461784B2 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2012-04-30 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
US13/914,054 Abandoned US20130269887A1 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2013-06-10 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
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US13/054,359 Expired - Fee Related US8723454B2 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2009-07-22 | Motor arrangement for window coverings |
US13/459,556 Expired - Fee Related US8461784B2 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2012-04-30 | Programmable motor for window coverings |
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US (4) | US8193742B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2315541B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102333469B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2009274006B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010011751A1 (en) |
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-
2008
- 2008-07-22 US US12/177,330 patent/US8193742B2/en active Active
-
2009
- 2009-07-22 WO PCT/US2009/051405 patent/WO2010011751A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-07-22 US US13/054,359 patent/US8723454B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-07-22 CN CN200980137094.4A patent/CN102333469B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-07-22 EP EP09800943.4A patent/EP2315541B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2009-07-22 AU AU2009274006A patent/AU2009274006B2/en not_active Ceased
-
2012
- 2012-04-30 US US13/459,556 patent/US8461784B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2013
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US9926741B2 (en) | 2009-01-14 | 2018-03-27 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Noise dampening motor drive system for retractable covering for architectural openings |
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US10941615B2 (en) | 2009-01-14 | 2021-03-09 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. | Noise dampening motor drive system for retractable covering for architectural openings |
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JP2016141967A (en) * | 2015-01-30 | 2016-08-08 | 立川ブラインド工業株式会社 | Electric window blind device |
US10392860B2 (en) * | 2015-03-17 | 2019-08-27 | Eric Barnett | Systems and methods for controlling the blinds |
US11136819B2 (en) | 2015-07-01 | 2021-10-05 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Cable restraint bracket of an architectural covering assembly |
US10519713B2 (en) | 2015-07-01 | 2019-12-31 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Static mitigation end cap for a covering for an architectural opening |
EP3208416A1 (en) * | 2016-02-16 | 2017-08-23 | elero GmbH | Control system |
DE102016102669A1 (en) * | 2016-02-16 | 2017-08-17 | Elero Gmbh Antriebstechnik | control system |
US20170268293A1 (en) * | 2016-03-17 | 2017-09-21 | Coulisse B.V. | Device for manually operating a motorized drive of a screen, such as a window covering, and method for saving setting values associated with different positions of the screen |
US10633917B2 (en) * | 2016-03-17 | 2020-04-28 | Coulisse B.V. | Device for manually operating a motorized drive of a screen, such as a window covering, and method for saving setting values associated with different positions of the screen |
US10851587B2 (en) | 2016-10-19 | 2020-12-01 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Motor assemblies for architectural coverings |
US11834903B2 (en) | 2016-10-19 | 2023-12-05 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Motor assemblies for architectural coverings |
US11299932B2 (en) * | 2017-10-09 | 2022-04-12 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. | Rail assemblies for motorized architectural coverings and related methods |
US11486198B2 (en) | 2019-04-19 | 2022-11-01 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Motor assemblies for architectural coverings |
WO2022265843A1 (en) * | 2021-06-18 | 2022-12-22 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. | Architectural structure covering with magnet-based braking system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN102333469B (en) | 2014-03-19 |
EP2315541B1 (en) | 2016-08-17 |
AU2009274006A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 |
US8193742B2 (en) | 2012-06-05 |
CN102333469A (en) | 2012-01-25 |
US20120234504A1 (en) | 2012-09-20 |
US20100018654A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 |
WO2010011751A9 (en) | 2010-07-15 |
EP2315541A1 (en) | 2011-05-04 |
US8723454B2 (en) | 2014-05-13 |
EP2315541A4 (en) | 2014-07-30 |
US20110265958A1 (en) | 2011-11-03 |
WO2010011751A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 |
US8461784B2 (en) | 2013-06-11 |
AU2009274006B2 (en) | 2016-04-28 |
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