WO2009140711A1

WO2009140711A1 - Motorized blind system

Info

Publication number: WO2009140711A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dazhi Huang
Original assignee: Dazhi Huang
Priority date: 2007-01-03
Filing date: 2008-01-02
Publication date: 2009-11-26
Also published as: CN101778990A; CN101778990B

Abstract

A motorized blind system comprises rolling means, head rail, motor bracket, end cap bracket, motor and limit switch. Head rail and rolling means are connected together by the motor bracket on one end thru the mounting head of a motor and a motor driving wheel is engaged with the rolling means and drive it for rotation to lift up a blind fabric. The head rail on the other end is connected with an end cap bracket mounted with a bearing rotatably engaged with a shaft of an end cap on one end and with its other end being inserted into the rolling means. The head rail and rolling means on the end of the end cap bracket are aligned.

Description

Motorized Blind System

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to motorized blind system, either using AC or DC motor.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

1. The most motorized roller blind system is so built and installed to requires to mount motor and end cap brackets to supporting base (e.g., window ceiling or wall) and by the complicated engagement devices and methods for sake of safety to fix the tube with a built in motor to the brackets with one end engaged thru motor mounting end and the other ratably engaged via end cap. This type of system makes the installation very troublesome and time consuming due to critical alignment and positioning requirement between the motor and end cap brackets as well as complicated structure. Un-installation for maintenance is as tedious. The complicated structure or device occupies more space therefore increase the gap between roller blind fabric and wall and lead to more light coming in and leas privacy.

2. In meantime, as the power cable of a motor can be only extended from one end, i.e., mounliiig cud, it always requires to confirm if power point or control point is r»n right side nr left side to enable to decide on the fabric rolling direction otherwise the cable has to cross over from one end to the other with being exposed ugly. Once it is wrong, either fabric has to be re-fixed or motor position has to be changed by reassembly of the system.

3. Current controller system for motorized roller blinds requires connecting motor cable and power cable to its terminal block with screws one wire by one. This makes installation very time consuming and leads to bigger size box that normally nowhere can be hided, unless it is placed inside false ceiling. The latter makes maintenance impossible if ceiling is not broken to be open to access the controller which normally is electronic circuit and easier to be broken down than the motors.

4. The tube of motorized roller blind is all designed and made for one type of fabric fixing. One type of the system cannot be used for the other. This is particularly difficult when the motorized systems replace the manual roller blind, and it ends up with only solution that adhesive tape has to be used to fix the fabric to the tube, which is not reliable. In meantime, in most current fixing methods a tape used is fixed along the edge of fabric by staplers and then slides into a groove along the tube. These methods make it impossible to take away the fabric for cleaning etc if the whole system is not taken down.

5. Different designed components of motorized roller blind, e.g., in current market require cutting different length of tube and head rail if it is used (most in case of manual roller blind systems). This makes low efficient fabrication and difficult production management.

6. Because of the problem No. 4 (must slide in the tube before full assembly) and No 5, fabrication of the blind system with fabric must be done in factory. Because of this, when construction site is underway, dirty environment makes fabric very dirty during installation. Further suppliers must go to site to do measurement of each window and know the power point position, and then fabricate the blind system accordingly. If it is wrong measurement and point position, the systems have to be sent back to the factory to modify.

7. AU the current roller blind systems are designed for roiling blind only. Even strings can be fixed to the tube to roll Roman blind fabric, an additional Velcro track must be installed separately. This make impossible for users to change application from roller blind or Roman blind later on. Jn meantime, the drums rolling the strings is normally inserted into the tube from the end side. This requires disassembly of end bracket and end cap and then inserts the drums to right position, and finally fix back the end bracket and end cap to the tube.

8. Automatic upper and bottom stop position of most motorized roller blind system is set by a manual switch either thru interlock mechanism or direct electronic button pressing. The switch(s) is always built on motor body on motor mounting end, which leads to wider gap to have more light coming into the room.

9. Current dual or triple roller blind system driven by one motor is installed and joined by an intermediate bracket that is an integrated and rigid mechanism with two end caps on right and left hand side. Each has to be inserted to right and left hand roller blind tube at same time, thus it requires extra space between window wall and more installers to install the system. Therefore it leads to bigger gap between wall and fabric and more costly for installation. Though some designs of this bracket with spring loaded shaft can minimize the gap but precision of the bracket installing position is critical otherwise it is very hard to clip the tube in. In meantime, removal of the tube is also very tedious.

10. As above mentioned, all current motorized blind systems need to set top and bottom stop position by either mechanical switch, electronic switch or programming via a remote transmitter. All are time consuming and affect reliability of system if it is set wrongly, in particular, the fabric may be damaged if it is overrun.

THE OBJECT

The object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system for easier, quicker and lower cost installation and un-hista!lation for service.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system with simpler structure or device for the engagement between motor/end cap brackets and tubes to increase the fabric width at given width of the windows and reduce the gap for less light coming in and improvement of privacy.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system on which fabric fixing direction is not subject to power point or control point position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system without exposing wiring or controller no matter where power point position is.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system with its motor controller nicely and seamlessly being hided inside the system, easily connected with the motor and power supply by way of 'plug and play' and easily being taken down for maintenance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tube profile of motorized roller blind system for easier and quicker direct fixing fabric onto it or direct taking off for cleaning etc, and with as many possible receptacle types on the tube to allow different types of fabric fixing to fit in for replacement of manual system from different suppliers or other benefits.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system for both roller blind and Roman blind fabric. It is to further provide this with semi open drums with dual half rings to be mounted direct to tube to avoid reassembly the system.

Another object of this invention is to provide a standardized and flexible motorized roller blind system with slight modification by one cutting on site to tit for various site condition and measurement without prc-mcasunng and pre-verifying power point position before installation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system with automatic stop setting switch(s) placed on other position of the system to reduce the gap for less light coming in.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system with possible way to fix fabric later after dirty installation particularly bracket installation and construction site dirty works is complete.

Another object of this- invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system for dual or more blind driven by one motor with easier and quick installation and removal for maintenance etc.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized roller blind system with no need to set top and bottom stop positions of motor to save installation time and improve reliability and provide with truly full automatic system.

By combining above objects, total and ultimate object of this invention is to provide a nearly full 'plug and play' system of motorized blind for mass production, which is to maximum possible close to house appliances like fan etc, not only reduce fabrication and installation costs but also the prc- and after sale services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Now the present invention is described in the following with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a motorized blind system incorporated with a first embodiment of the motorized roller blind system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of motorized blind system with detailed components structure and assembly.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line X -X of FIG. I .

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the tube of a motorized blind system using mating tape for fabric fixing. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tube of a motorized blind system using clip-in tape for fabric fixing.

FlG. 6 is a sectional view of the tube of a motorized blind system using slidmg-m tape tor fabric to slide in.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the tube of a motorized blind system using sliding-in tape with the fabric being already placed into the groove of the tube.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the tube of a motorized blind system with all grooves for mating, sliding-in or clip-in tapes for fabric fixing.

FIG 9. is a sectional view of a motorized Roman blind system with head rail holding a fabric and rolling means to pull up the fabric.

FJG 10. is a fragmentary view of a semi circle formed rolling ring of the motorized Roman blind system.

FIG 1 1. is a view of dual modules of the motorized roller blind system with motorized module on the left.

FIG 12. is a fragmentary view of the engagement mechanism structure at joint point between dual modules of the motorized roller blind system.

FIG 13. is a fragmentary view of the engagement mechanism structure at joint point between dual modules of motorized roller blind system showing a protruded shaft for engagement.

FIG 14. is a sectional view of a motorized roller blind system showing a limit switch placed on the head rail for stop triggering and sizes for fabric height calculation-

FIG 15. is a sectional view of a motorized Roman blind system showing a limit switch placed on the head rail for stop triggering.

FIG 16. is a fragmentary front view of a motorized Roman blind system showing a limit switch placed on the head rail for stop triggering.

FIG 17. is a circuit diagram of AC motor with IR or RF receiver controller.

FIG 18. is a circuit diagram of DC motor with IR or RF receiver controller and DC power supply.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows a motori/cd roller blind system 10 comprising a roller tube 1, and head rail 2, motor bracket 3, end cap bracket 4, motor 5 (not shown) that is built inside the tube 1 with mounting head 5a exposed and mounted onto bracket 3 by screws 3a as shown in Figure 2 or other fastener types thru holes on the bracket 3 (not shown). It also comprises an end cap 6 placed inside the other end of tube with its edge 6a exposed. The head rail 2 is integrated with brackets 3 and 4 by screw 3b and 4a. Mounting head 5a normally comprises a set of position turning buttons 5a'(for up and down positions, only one shown) in conventional mechanical stop position setting method, and an electronic switch button at central position (not shown) in electronic stop position setting method. The motor 5 built inside the rolling tube as described above is only an example and it can be also outside of the tube as long as it is engaged with the tube properly for reliable rotation. Of course motor being built inside the tube is still best solution as long as the space taken and neatness is concerned. figure 2 shows detailed structure of ratable engagement between the bracket 4 and end cap 6 by means of a bearing 7. On the end of the end cap 6 facing the bracket 4, there is a shaft 6b protruded out from bottom of cylindered hollow section 6c. The outer diameter of the hollow section 6c is a slight bigger than the outer diameter of bearing 7 while the hole 7a of bearing 7 is just good to allow the shaft 6b to fit in to support it for rotation. The bearing 7 has 2 holes 7b to allow screws 4b to mount it together with bracket 4 thru its holes (not shown). The thickness of bearing 7 is slightly bigger than the depth of hollow section 6c to form a clearing gap so that inserted end cap 6 is rotated around the bearing 7 without robbing inner surface of bracket 4. In meantime, the bracket 4 is bent inward at distance X same as the sum of the width of the clear gap and thickness Y of the edge of end cap 6 to give same alignment as end of head rail. This provides one time cutting convenience when the length of the blind system need be altered or a standardized package of the blind is modified as per site measurement. As shown in Figure 1 and 3, the installation is made by clipping the head rail 2 with mounting brackets 8 which are first mounted to ceiling or wall by screws thru a hole 8a. It is very obvious that without any tool one can remove the head rail 2 and tube 1 by pressing brackets 8 to open.

The conventional structure of motorized roller blind needs to mount motor and end cap brackets to the ceiling or wall first, then fix the tube into the brackets by various engagement methods and devices. The invention is much easier as aligning a number of mounting brackets with only single screw is a lot easier than that for mounting motor and end cap brackets with 2-4 holes. Further as integration of motor mount bracket and end cap brackets with the rolling tube and motor is achieved by direct screw fixing thru only thickness of the brackets, the complicated engagement devices for sake of safety is saved. Therefore the roller blind fabric can be made wider to minimize the gap for less light coming in and improvement of the privacy.

As shown Figure I and 3 the system 10 also comprises a controller 9 for the motor 5. It comprises a housing 9a, main power cable 9b, motor control cable 9c with a plug (not shown) and socket 9c' and controller setting button 9d for transmitter control code learning in case of RF and IR signal remote control. The circuit for the motor controller 9 is not further explained herewith as this is very standard circuit either for DC or AC motors and easily made for those skilled in art. Main power cable 9b comprises three wires, earth, live and neutral, which are connected to power point (supply) by a pluggable connector or conventional plug (not shown) and earth is also connect to system body for safety. In case of DC motor application. The controller 9 may have power adapter arranged together with it or connected external DC power supply (including an external adapter or chargeable battery). In the latter, the main power cable 9b shall be DC cable. The motor control cable 9c is extended out from the motor 5 and connected with its plug which is mated with socket 9c'. Because of plug and socket connection, it make possible for quicker and simply connection for installation and disconnection for maintenance etc. In case of DC motor, cable 9c is either two wires, i.e., alternative Voltage +12V or 24V and ground for motor forward and backward running, or maybe three wires. In case of AC motor, it mostly 4 wires, one neutral and ground and two live for forward and live backward running.

The controller setting button 9d is protruded out from the house 9a and a drilled hole of head rail 2 to allow one to press it to learn the remote transmitter codes. As arranged in Figure 1, the motor 5 is placed on left hand side, and motor cable 9c is extended out from the motor 5 by either left hand or right hand side of motor bracket 3 to the top of head rail 2 and then stretched inside the head rail 2 to connect to the controller 9 via socket 9c'. Main power cable 9b is extended out from the controller 9 to the power point (either AC or DC) on cither left hand side or one on the right hand side. As shown in Figure 3, there is empty space between the side walls of head rail 2 and controller housing 9a. It is designed that tie cable 9b can be stretched thru the space to the right hand side. Of course, the cable 9b can be also crossed 2008/000001

over to the right hand side if there is empty space between the top of controller 9 and ceiling. With this arrangement, without changing the motor 5 position or turning the tube 1 the roller blind system 10 can be connected to a power point either on the left or right hand side easily with no exposure of messy cables. Therefore fabric fixing direction is not subject to power point or control point position as tube is always fixed in same orientation and turning direction.

When the controller is built inside the motor, there is only main power cable stretched out from it. Therefore, as long as the cable is long enough, the power cable can go along inside the head rail without messy cable being exposed, thus the fabric fixing direction shall also be irrelevant to power point position. When the controller is built inside a DC motor but DC power adapter is placed onto the head rail 2, the main power cable from the motor is DC cable that is connected to the power adapter on the head rail 2, but the power adapter has its own AC power cable to be connected to AC power point.

The controller can be also built into wall mounted switch box with chargeable battery built in together too or in a separated housing as shown Figure 1 in dot line. In this case, motor cable is connected into the switch box via either standard DC motor control circuit (with relay control) or a double throw rotary switch for DC power supply alternative switching. Main power (DC) cable is connected to the battery. With the design of removable battery housing, the chargeable battery can be taken out to insert into the charging base for recharging.

Another embodiment of this invention is to relocate the electronic position setting button from motor head 5a to the controller 9 in similar way to the button 9d with an additional setting button 9c as shown in Figure 3. The connecting cable for button 9c (not shown) is extended out from the motor for this relocation. With this arrangement, the motor head 5a can be made thinner. Therefore the roller blind fabric can be made even wider to further minimize the gap for even less light coming in and more improvement of the privacy. In case stop position setting is achieved by remote transmitter programming operated by its buttons, the gap can also be minimized although the programming is tedious for many installers and users.

Figure 4 shows the tube 1 1 comprising a groove 1 Ia holds Vclcro tape either female or male by flanges 1 Ib. Alternatively they can be fixed along the groove 1 Ia by clue. If it is female, the male shall be sewed to roller blind fabric along its top edge, vice versus. With Velcro tape, the fabric can be taken down easily for cleaning and put back afterwards.

Figure 5 shows a tube 12 comprising a groove 12a. Fabric holder 12b is fixed with fabric by staples 12c or others, and the holder 12b together with fabric is clipped into the groove which shape is mated with the shape of holder 12b as shown in Figure 5. On the same tube 12 same profile of groove as groove 11 is also made to accommodate for two different applications.

Figure 6 and 7 show a tube 13 comprising two grooves 13a that have identical shape but be positioned in opposite to each other. Each groove 13a has long flange 13b and short flange 13c. Along its top edge the fabric is fixed together with flat shaped tape 13d by staples I3e. The width of the tape 13d shall be smaller or at most same as sum of opening between flange 13b and 13c and the depth of the long flange 13c. But it must be wider than as sum of opening between flange 13b and 13c and the depth of the short flange 13c. Therefore, once the tape 13d is pushed in the groove 13 upward to the top of long flange 13b to allow its bottom edge to be in, and then drop down toward the bottom of flange 13c, the tape 13d together with fabric is held firmly by the groove 13. Therefore it is obvious that the fabric can be directly fixed onto the tube 13 without its being taken down, When the fabric need be to taken down, one just follows reverse sequence, i.e., shifting up the tape 13d toward the top of the long flange 13b until the bottom edge of the tape 13d can be pulled out from the inside of the short flange 13c, to take off the whole fabric from the tube 13. This makes it possible and easy to take the fabric down for cleaning or make replacement from manual system to motorized one. While the left groove 13a gives an option of counter clockwise winding fabric around the tube 13, i.e., clock wise rolling up of blind or fabric front rolling up, the right groove 13a does clockwise, i.e., counter clock wise rolling up of fabric and fabric back rolling up.

Figure 8 shows a tube 14 comprising all above mentioned groves 11a, 12a and 13a in different positions. This will provide max possible means to allow various fabric fixing methods to be used in the tube 14. This gives further convenience and reliable way to make above mentioned replacement too. The invention is not limited to above described, as other combinations of the different grooves can be also alternatives, e.g., grove l la together with groovc(s)13a in one tube or groove! 2a with groove(s)13a in one tube. Other type of groove for different fabric fixing methods can be also included too.

Figure 9 shows a motorized roller blind system 20 cum Roman blind system. It comprises a tube 21, a head rail 22, a pulling cable holder 23, a controller 24 and brackets (not shown) same as the system 10. The head rail 22 has Vclcro groove 22a be able to hold Velcro tape either female or male by flanges 22a'. Alternatively they can be fixed along the groove 22a by clue. If it is female, the male shall be sewed to Roman blind fabric along its top edge, Vice versus. With Velcro tape, the fabric can be taken down easily for cleaning and put back afterwards.

As shown in Figure 9 and 10, the pulling cable holder 23 comprise flange 23a with a hole 23a' and fixing screw 23a", and holder rolling cone 23b as well as pulling cable 23c. The holder 23 slides into along the tube 21 and fastened with screw 23a" in the position Roman blind fabric requires. One end of the pulling cable 23c is fixed to the flange 23a and wound up around the cone 23b, and the other end is tied to bottom bar of Roman blind thru series of rings. When the tube is rotated counter clockwise the fabric is pulled up to open. When the tube is rotated clockwise the fabric comes down to have blind to close.

In Figure 9, another type of pulling cable holder 230 is shown. It comprise first semi open ring 231 with a hole 231a on each end and second ring 232 with a 232a on each end. The two rings 231 and 232 is connected together by a shaft 233 thru their hole 231a and 232a so that they can be rotated around the shaft 233 to open and close. On ring 231 , there is tube fixing hole 231b for the rings to be mounted on the tube by a screw and string tie hole 231c for string to go thru and be fixed at starting end. Tt is obvious that with the structure, the pulling cable holder 230 can be open by rotating the rings outward and close to inward to hold the tube up. With proper fasteners to tighten the other end of the two rings 231 and 232, the pulling cable holder 230 is held by the tube from dropping off and with the screw fixing thru the hole 231b it will stay firmly the position required.

If one changes his mind to use Roman blind instead of roller blind, he simply turns over the system to have the Velcro groove 22a to face front and adjust the motor control cable to opposite direction thru the empty space 22c as cable 9b does. This adjustment can be made very easily to have alternative applications in very common window dressing without hassle to change power point position or buy a different system,

Figure 11 shows single motor powered dual roller blind 30 and 30'. It comprises first set on left hand side of a roller tube 31, and head rail 32, motor bracket 33, end cap bracket 34, and on the right hand side, second set of a roller tube 31 ', and head rail 32', motor bracket 33', end cap bracket 34'. The motor 35 is built inside the tube 31. Figure 12 and 13 show the engagement mechanism between blind 30 and 30'. The end cap 36 inserted into tube 31 comprises octagonal shaped hole 36a at center of shaft 36b down to end before a smaller hole (not shown on this set), a small hole 36c' can be seen on end cap 36' of same design. Again the end cap 36 is ratably engaged with bearing 37 that is mounted with bracket 34 in the same way as bearing 7. It further comprises a spring-loaded shaft 38 that has octagonal shaped shaft 38a, smaller diameter round shaft 38b extended from shaft 38a and spring 38c around the round shaft 38b. The round shaft 38c has a groove 38b¹ at its end to receiving the spring clip 38b" after the shaft inserted into the end cap 36 for locking. The shaft 38 is protruded out from the end cap 36 at length enough to engage with same octagonal shaped hole on end cap 36', ideally longer than the thickness of bearing 37' plus the sum of thickness of bracket 34 and 33' for solid and stable engagement. When the second set of roller blind 30' is installed, the shaft 38 will be pushed in to allow the head rail 32' move up straight up to the ceiling to clip into the brackets 39 just next to the end of head rail 32 without requiring extra space on end of head rail 32' and tube 31 ^*. Because of spring loading, the shaft 38 is protruded out automatically and inserted into the octagonal shape hole (not shown) on the end cap 36', therefore both roller blind 30 and 30' are engaged each other. When the former is rotated the latter will follow by mean of this mechanism. To have better alignment between both and smooth rotation engagement, a wider bracket 39' than the normal one 39 is used to hold both. In this embodiment, only one controller 35a is used. It is very obvious that without any tool one can remove the head rails and tubes by pressing brackets 39 and 39' to release them.

Figure 14, 15 and 16 show motorized roller blind 40 and motorized Roman blind 50 with an external limit switch for automatic top position stop. As shown in Figure 14, motorized roller blind 40 comprises rolling tube 41, head rail 42, controller 43, top stop device 44, fabric 45 rolling in clockwise around tube 41 and bottom bar 46 which as weight to hold the fabric 45 straight downward as well as a motor 47 built inside tube 41. The top stop device 44 comprises switch housing 44a, switch 44b, hinged handle 44c and screws 44d and nut 44d' (only one set shown). The switch housing 44a holds switch 44b inside and has flange 44a'. Screws 44d is inserted thru a hole of the flange 44a' and wall of tube 41 and is fastened with nut 44d' to mount top stop device 44 to the head rail 42. The switch 44b is a conventional limit switch with triggering button 44b', and normal close and common terminal as shown in Figure 17 and 18. On the bottom the hinged handle 44c can be rotated around its right hand end but be held just below the triggering button 44b'. When the handle 44c is rotated in clockwise or pressed upward it will press the triggering button 44b' to make normal close terminal to open.

As shown in Figure 15 and 16, motorized Roman blind 50 comprises rolling tube 51, head rail 52 with Velcro groove 52a, controller 53, top stop device 54, fabric 55, Roman blind weight bars 56 inserted into various position of the fabric 55 to hold fabric straight downward, and pulling cord holder 57 with cord 57a tied to it at one end and the other to the last bar 56, as well as a motor 58 built inside tube 51. The top stop device 54 comprises switch housing 54a, switch 54b, hinged handle 54c and screws 54d and nut 54d' (only one set shown) and holding base 54e of same shape as the groove 52a. The switch housing 54a holds switch 54b inside and has flange 54a'. Screws 54d is inserted thru a hole holding base 54e from inside of groove 52a and thru a hole of the flange 54a' and is fastened with nut 54d' to mount top stop device 54 to the head rail 52. The switch 54b is again a conventional limit switch with triggering button 54b", and normal close and common terminal as shown in Figure 17 and 18. On the bottom the hinged handle 54c can be rotated around its right hand end but be held just below the triggering button 54b'. When the handle 54c is rotated in clockwise or pressed upward, it will press the triggering button 54b' to make normal close terminal to open. figure 17 and 18 S.1JUW_.

druiitry of AC and DC motor application for tfop; hiinrl systems in conjunction with the top stop device 4, in particular the switch 44b or 54b.

In Figure 17, the circuitry 100 comprises IR or RF receiver 101 for remote control with IR receiver eye 101 a or RF antenna 101b, main control circuit 102 and relay circuit 103 including upward relay 103a and down ward relay 103b, AC power cable 104, motor cable connector \ 05 and motor cable 106 including up control cable 106a and down control cable 106b as well as AC motor 107. Cable 104 is same as one in Figure 1, main power cable 9b, and connector 104 is equivalent to both 9c' and 9c", and motor cable 106 is same as motor control cable 9c. The switch 44b or 54b is connected in series with cable 106a. When the main control circuit 102 receives control signal from IR or RF receiver 101 to open the blind, the relay 103a is closed to supply driving power to AC motor 107 thru normal close terminal of switch 44b or 54b and motor upward control cable 106a. As soon as the switch 44b or 54b is triggered to open the power is cut off, therefore the motor 107 will stop.

In Figure 18, the circuitry 200 comprises IR or RF receiver 201 for remote control with IR receiver eye 201a or RF antenna 201b, main control circuit 202 and relay circuit 203 including upward relay 203a and down ward relay 203b, AC power cable 204, motor cable connector 205 and motor cable 206 including up control cable 106a and down control cable 106b as well as DC motor 207 and DC power adapter 208. The switch 44b or 54b is connected in series with cable 206a. When the main control circuit 202 receives control signal from IR or RF receiver 201 to open the blind, the relay 203a is closed to supply driving power to DC motor 207 thru normal close terminal of switch 44b or 54b and motor upward control cable 206a. As soon as the switch 44b or 54b is triggered to open the power is cut off, therefore the motor 207 will stop.

Take motorized roller blind 40 as an example to describe how top and bottom stop limits operate or be arranged to automatic stop blind at the top and bottom positions without any on- site setting. Firstly arrangement of the bottom position for automatic stop is described.

The tube 41 thru motor 47 in Figure 14 and tube 14 in Figure 8 are preset at this position as bottom stop limit by any stop limit setting methods the motor is built with such as mechanic interlock limit switches, electronic sensor or programming mean by a remote transmitter. Thought tube position is same but motor connected with tube 14 is starting bottom position while the motor 47 is already rolled with many rounds of fabric, That means tube 14 cannot be rotated further in clockwise direction but only in counter clockwise and it is fully close position of the blind. Let us assume that total required height of blind is T, and h is the distance between ceiling point to center point of the tube 41, 0D is diameter of the tube 41 and B is effective thickness of bottom bar which actually is vertical thickness of the bar minus fabric length inserted in to the bar. One supplying the blind system with fabric fixing method shown in Figure 8 and 14 has to cut the size of fabric as per following formula: T- h+3.13x0D- B. If it is one on the top groove in Figure 8 and 14, i.e., the same as the groove 13, the formula is T-h+3.13x0Dxl.25- B. At this preset bottom stop position, the fabric so cut and fixed will be full size of the blind required at full closing. With this method, troublesome setting for one stop limit position, particularly bottom position, is saved. Therefore installation time is shorter and less skilled people can do it easily.

Secondly let us describe how top stop device 44 operates for the top stop limit. When the relay 103a or 203a close by control signal 'Open', the motor 47 drives tube 41 to rotate in counter clockwise to roll up the fabric 45 and lift up the bottom bar 46. The hinged handle 44c is so designed to be long enough to have the bottom bar 46 with much bigger diameter to touch again it and press it upward, while it leaves sufficient gap to allow fabric 45 to move thru. When the bottom bar 46 move to the handle 44c, the former will press upward the handle 44c and then press in the triggering button 44b' to trigger the normal close terminal of switch 44b to open. Therefore the electric power driving the motor 47 is cut off and leads to the motor 47 to stop. When the relay 103b and 203b is closed the motor 47 start to rotate the tube 41 in clockwise to roll out the fabric 45 and pull down the bottom bar 46. Therefore the bottom bar 46 moves off from the handle 44c, triggering button 44b' is released and the normal close terminal of the switch 44b becomes closed. The fabric 45 and bottom bar 46 will move down the preset bottom position. Hence, the motorized roller blind system 40 become fully automatic system with free position setting.

The operation of motorized Roman blind system 50 in conjunction with a top stop device 54 is same as above described roller blind system 40. Only difference is that the hinged handle 54c is pressed upward by the first intermediate weight bar 56, and to give full closing height as same as blind fabric height one must tie the cord 57a straightly to the last bar 56 when the fabric is fully dropped down.

As per above description, it is obvious to have achieved the total object of this invention, i.e., nearly full 'plug and play' system of motorized blind to maximum possible close to house appliances like fan etc, not only reduce fabrication and installation workload and costs but also simplify the prc- and after sale services. The following is a practical example to show how to produce and install such a system:

1. Motorized Roller Blind:

• Make the blind width with only one or a few sizes for mass production efficiency, e.g., 1.5m, 2m 2.5m,

• Assemble the blind with tube, head rail, motor bracket, end cap bracket with bearing, end cap, motor, controller if needed and wiring between motor and controller as per Figure 1 -3 as well above described,

• Set motor stop limits to make the tube position same as one shown in Figure 8 and 14 so that motor will not roll up fabric to be fixed to further down but up to max number of turn of motor or the system allows or other number of turns sufficient to most window heights.

• Measure required width of blind and cut as per required size (one cut only), and fix the brackets,

• Mount the system with clipping them into the brackets and connect power cable to controller or motor if it is built in as per Figure I and above described.

• Cut the fabric width according to the tube length (2-3 mm shorter shifting allowance), • and height according to window height or required total height -t- starting rolled length

(3.14x0D) - system height h-bottom bar effect thickness B, and then directly fix fabric to the lube so that it forms full required blind height automatically after this fixing to save the top limit setting as per Figure 8 and Figure 14 and previous described.

• Move the fabric up until bottom bar trigger an external switch to stop the motor as per Figure 14-16.

2. Motorized Roman Blind

It is similar to that for Roller blind in general process, but is simpler particularly for the fabric cutting and string fixing as the former height and width is the total required height and string is more flexible to be fixed.

With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited only as indicated in the appended claims.

Claims

U2008/000001

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I Claim:

1. A motorized blind system comprises limit switching means, head rail and rolling means connected together by motor bracket on one end thru the mounting head of a motor whose driving wheel is engaged with said rolling means and drive it for rotation to lift up a blind fabric, said head rail also on the other end connected with an end cap bracket mounted with a bearing rotatably engaged with a shaft of an end cap on one end and with its other end being inserted into said rolling means, the edge of said head rail and rolling means on the end of said end cap bracket are vertically aligned.

2. A motorized blind system according to claim 1 , wherein said. end cap bracket at the section connected with said head rail is bended inward to a width equal to the edge width of said end cap plus clearing gap between the edge and inner side of said end cap bracket;

3. A motorized blind system according to claim I , wherein said rolling means comprises a tube and fabric is rolled up and down around said tube for blind opening and closing; it further comprises a fixing groove for a fabric mating tape along said lube with the mating tape fixed on it to connect said fabric and tube together.

4. A motorized blind system according to claim 1 , wherein said rolling means comprises a tube and fabric is rolled up and down around said tube for blind opening and closing; it further comprises a fixing groove for a fabric-stapled tape along said tube with one short and one long flange on each side.

5. A motorized blind system according to claim 1 , wherein said rolling means comprises a tube and fabric is rolled up and down around said tube for blind opening and closing; it further comprises a fixing groove of a fabric mating tape atong said tube with a mating tape fixed on it to connect said fabric and tube together, and comprises also two other identical fixing grooves for fabric-stapled tapes along the tube with one short and one long flange on each side, but two being positioned in opposite to each other, and comprise further a clipping in groove for fabric-stapled tape along the tube with two flanges on each side and a big headed and round shaped flange on middle along the groove.

6. A motorized blind system according to claim 1 , wherein said head rail comprises a holding groove on one side with a mating tape fixed on it to connect said head rail to the top edge of said fabric, and said rolling means comprises a tube, a number of rings firmly fixed around said tube and strings, and said rings are formed by two semi circle-rings and a set of fasteners to connect two together, and on each ring there is a hole and one end of said string goes thru said hole to connect to the bottom of said fabric and the other end is tied and held by said hole; when said tube is rotated by said motor, it rolls up said string, thus pulls up said fabric.

7. A motorized blind system according to claim 1, wherein said fabric comprises stop triggering means, and limit switch means for upper limit is placed on said head rail externally for said stop triggering means to trigger said limit switch means for motor stop when said fabric is lifted up to its open position. 00001

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8. A motorized blind system according to claim 1, wherein said limit switch means comprise electronic switch connected into the motor but located external to the motor and inside said controller.

9. A motorized blind system comprises motorized module with limit switching means, head rail and rolling means connected together by a motor bracket on one end thru the mounting head of a motor whose driving wheel is engaged with said rolling means and drive it for rotation to lift up a blind fabric, said head rail also on the other end connected with an end cap bracket mounted with a bearing rotatably engaged with a shaft of an end cap on one end and with its other being inserted into said rolling means, and the edge of said head rail and rolling means on the end of said end cap bracket are vertically aligned; it further comprises at least one non motorized module with its head rail on both end connected with an end cap bracket mounted with a bearing rotatably engaged with a shaft of an end cap on one end and with its other end being inserted into said rolling means, the edge of said head rail and rolling means on at least one end are vertically aligned, wherein said shaft of said end cap on each module comprises an engaging hole along its axis, and when two or three modules are placed side by side, one end of an intermediate means is engaged with said shaft and being supported with a spring inside said engaging hole on one of modules and other end is first pressed into said engaging hole and bunched back by said spring and inserted into said engaging hole of said shaft of other module to engage the latter to transmit rotating power from said motorized module to said non motorized modules.

10. A motorized blind system according to claim 9, wherein on the joint point of said head rails between side by side placed modules, a mounting bracket is placed across both head rails and holds the two together.

11. A motorized blind system comprises motor controller, limit switching means, head rail and rolling means connected together by motor bracket on one end thru the mounting head of a motor whose driving wheel is engaged with the rolling means and drive it for rotation to lift up a blind fabric, said head rail also on the other end connected with an end cap bracket mounted with a bearing rotatably engaged with a shaft of an end cap on one end and with its other end being inserted into the rolling means, and the edge of said head rail and rolling means on the end of said end cap bracket are vertically aligned.

12. A motorized blind system according to claim 11 , wherein said head rail comprises a channel, and said controller comprise a motor cable to be connected to said motor and power cable to be connected to power supply, and all said cables sit inside said channel.

13. A motorized blind system according to claim 1 1 , wherein said motor cable is connected to motor via male and female connector.

14. Λ motorized blind system according to claim 12, wherein said head rail comprises a hollow section between said controller and its outer wall, and said cables go thru said hollow section.

15. A motorized blind system according to claim 1 1, wherein said motor is DC motor connected thru a cable with its controller placed externally, and said controller comprises a chargeable battery. A motorized blind system according to claim 12, wherein said motor is DC motor, and said controller compnses DC power supply built in a housing which is placed inside said channel Method to adapt and install already assembled a motorized blind system with standardized sizes to a required blind sue, which compnses limit switching means, head rail and rolling means connected together by motor bracket on one end thm the mounting head of a motor whose driving wheel is engaged with said rolling means and drive it for rotation to lift up a blind fabric, said head rail also on the other end connected with an end cap bracket mounted with a bearing rotatably engaged with a shaft of an end cap on one end and with its other end being inserted into said rolling means, and the edge of said head rail and rolling means on the end of said end cap bracket are vertically aligned

• Measuring the required blind width,

• Cutting the assembled system as per the measurement by one cut with placing said rolling means and head rail vertically to cumng blade, with remaining section of said head rail and rolling mean being still aligned at their cutting points after cutting

• Taking out said end cap bracket from cut extra section of said head rail and said end cap from cut extra section of said rolling means

• Fixing back said end cap to the remaining section of said rolling means and with proper screws and fixing back said end cap bracket to the Teraaining section with the shaft of said end cap rotatably engaged with said bearing mounted on said end cap bracket

• Mounting said blind system to ceiling or wall with proper brackets to clip in to said head rail, Method to decide height of fabric and install it to save bottom Uroit setting of a motorized roller blind system, which comprises limit switching means head rail and tube connected together by motor bracket on one end thru the mounting head of a motor whose driving wheel is engaged with said tube and drive it for rotation to lift up a blind fabric with weight bar, said head rail also on the other end connected with an end cap brackel mounted with a bearing rotatably engaged with a shaft of an end tap on one end and with its other end being inserted into said tube, and the edge of said head rail and rube on the end of said end cap bracket are vertically aligned, and said tube comprises at least one of following grooves a fixing groove for a fabπc mating tape along said tube with a mating tape fixed on it to connect said fabπc and tube together, and compnses also two other idenncal fixing grooves for Λ fabric-stapled tape along the tube with one short and one long flange on each side, but two being positioned in opposite to each other, and comprise further a clipping in groove for a fabπc stapled tape along the tube with two flanges on each side and a big headed and round shaped flange on middle along the groove

• Select one said groove to fix said fabnc and presetting the bottom limit of said motor to the position at which the circumference fabπc rolls over around said tube shall be Z from said fixing groove to the fabπc dropping point

• Cutting fabric height as per the formula: Total required height -system height (from ceiling to middle of said tube on side) + Z - weight bar thickness.

• Cutting fabric width as per required blind width,

• Fixing fabric onto the grooves of said tube as selected.

19. Method to decide height of fabric and install it to save bottom limit setting of a motorized roller blind system according to claim 18, wherein said tube comprises all four types of said grooves which are placed evenly around said tube, i.e., at 45 degree apart or 25% of the perimeter of said tube:

• Presetting the bottom limit of said motor to the position at which one of grooves shall be on the top of said tube with two on each side and 4^th on the bottom.

■ Cutting fabric height as per the formula: Total required height -system height (from ceiling to middle of said tube on side) + 3.14 X (Diameter of said tube) X Number of said grooves fabric rolls over from the grooves selected to fix fabric X 0.25 - weight bar thickness. t Cutting fabric width as per required blind width.

• Fixing fabric onto the grooves of said tube as selected.