WO2011068409A2

WO2011068409A2 - Device for automatically operating a screen such as a window covering

Info

Publication number: WO2011068409A2
Application number: PCT/NL2010/050817
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bastiaan Franciscus Klein Tuente; Wouter Hendriks; Harry Davids; Ruben Hubert Jan De Vries
Original assignee: Coulisse B.V.
Priority date: 2009-12-04
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2011-06-09
Also published as: NL2003906C2; WO2011068409A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for automatically operating a screen (100), such as a window covering, provided with cords (104), the screen comprising an elongate housing (101) in which is arranged at least one rotatable shaft provided with at least one winding roller (103) for winding up or unwinding the cords of the screen. The device comprises a motorized drive (22) and at least one mechanical transmission co-acting with the motorized drive and provided with shaft coupling means (10) for rotatingly driving the shaft. According to the invention the device is suitable for receiving in the elongate housing, the device is provided with a passage (4) for the rotatable shaft and the shaft coupling means are arranged close to the passage. The invention also relates to such a screen provided with a device according to the invention.

Description

DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING A SCREEN SUCH AS A WINDOW COVERING

The present invention relates to a device for automatically operating a screen, such as a window covering, provided with cords, the screen comprising an elongate housing in which is arranged at least one rotatable shaft provided with at least one winding roller for winding up or unwinding the cords of the screen, wherein the device comprises a motorized drive and at least one mechanical transmission co- acting with the motorized drive and provided with shaft coupling means for rotatingly driving the shaft.

Such an operating device is known in practice. The known operating device makes it possible to provide a screen such as a window covering with an automatic control either in the factory or at a later stage.

Screens such as window coverings are in practice usually made to measure by the retail organization ("cut-down application") or by the end user when purchased. For this purpose the elongate housing of the rail is cut to size on either side, if it is subsequently wished to automate the operation, it is frequently found that too little space remains on either side of the ladder cords in the rail to arrange the known operating device.

The present invention has for its object to provide a solution herefor. The operating device according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the device is suitable for receiving in the elongate housing, that the device is provided with a passage for the rotatable shaft and that the shaft coupling means are arranged close to the passage. The operating device according to the invention is distinguished in that the device is provided on one longitudinal side with a recess for the cords.

The operating device according to the invention can be received between the ladder cords in the rail without the rotatable shaft having to be cut through. The space remaining on either side of the rail in cut-down applications is therefore no longer relevant. It is noted that a device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from

US5907227. The known device is only suitable for placing close to an outer end of the elongate housing. According to a first preferred embodiment, the shaft coupling means are provided on the peripheral edge with a toothing which forms part of the mechanical transmission. The shaft coupling means are hereby integrated into the mechanical transmission, which results in a significant space-saving whereby the operating device according to the invention can be manufactured compactly.

According to a practical preferred embodiment, the mechanical transmission comprises co-acting toothed wheels. The transmission ratio required can hereby be adjusted directly. In a further preferred embodiment the device comprises a first housing part in which the passage and the shaft coupling means are received. Advantageously, only the first housing part need be provided with a passage for the rotatable shaft.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the device comprises a second housing part in which the motorized drive is received. The dimensions of the second housing part can be smaller as seen in transverse direction of the rail than the dimensions of the elongate housing of the rail itself. As a result the rotatable shaft can extend unobstructed along the housing. In a further development of this preferred embodiment the housing is provided on one longitudinal side with a recess for the rotatable shaft.

According to an elegant preferred embodiment, the shaft coupling means comprise an Oldham coupling in which a continuous opening is arranged for the rotatable shaft. A shaft which is not positioned wholly correctly can still be driven in reliable manner by means of these shaft coupling means.

The invention also relates to a screen, such as a window covering, provided with cords, the screen comprising an elongate housing in which is arranged at least one rotatable shaft provided with at least one winding roller for winding up or unwinding the cords of the screen, which screen is provided with a device according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for arranging the device in the screen, which comprises the following steps of:

a) Placing the device between the ladder cords in the elongate housing; b) Threading the cords through the recess; and

c) Placing the shaft through the passage.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of an operating device according to the invention arranged in a window covering;

Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the operating device of figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the operating device of figure 1 ; and

Figure 4 shows the operating device of figure 3, partly with exploded parts.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a device 1 according to the invention for operating a screen 100. In this embodiment screen 100 is a window covering, more particularly a Venetian blind. Screen 100 comprises a rail or elongate housing 101 in which a rotatable shaft 102 extends. Situated on the rotatable shaft is at least one winding roller 103 intended to allow tilting of cords 104 in which horizontal blinds 105 are received.

Device 1 is received inside the elongate hollow housing of rail 101. Adapters 200 are arranged on either side of device 1 in order to position the device.

Operating device 1 comprises a first and a second housing part, which are provided with co-acting coupling means. A motorized drive is situated in housing part 2. Housing part 3 takes the form of a hood and is arranged on one end surface of housing part 2. Hood 3 is provided with a passage for rotatable shaft 102. Situated in the passage are shaft coupling means which are adapted to engage on and drive rotatable shaft 02 by means of the motorized drive and the mechanical transmission co-acting therewith. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of operating device 1 through hood 3. Passage 4 with shaft coupling means 10 is shown in more detail. Shaft coupling means 10 are provided with a non-round opening 14 for the non-round rotatable shaft 2. A recess 34 which provides space for cords 104 is arranged on the underside of hood 3.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of operating device 1. Housing 3 is provided on the upper side with a recess 25 which lies in line with passage 4 through hood 3 and provides space for rotatable shaft 102. Situated in housing part 2 are the motorized drive 22 and a printed circuit board 21 provided with the necessary control means for remotely controlling the motorized drive 22. An associated remote control is not shown.

The mechanical transmission comprises co-acting toothed wheels 23 and 33.

Toothed wheel 23 can be driven directly by motorized drive 22. Toothed wheel 33 is formed by a toothing extending around shaft coupling means 10. Toothed wheel 23 is in direct engagement with toothed wheel 33. When toothed wheel 33 rotates, the shaft coupling means 10 located centrally therein co-rotate therewith and shaft 102 rotates as a result. Figure 4 shows device , partly with exploded parts, at the position of hood 3. Hood 3 and housing 2 are provided with co-acting coupling means.

Adapters 200 each comprises a plate-like body 201 , the dimensions of which are adapted to the cross-section of the rail or elongate housing 101. A passage 204 for rotatable shaft 102 and a recess 244 for cords 104 are arranged in body 201. Body 201 is provided on the periphery with first supports 206 and second supports 207. First supports 206 lie against the walls of the rail or elongate housing 101 and second supports 207 lie against the bottom of the rail or elongate housing 101. Co- acting coupling means are provided on each plate-like body 201 for coupling to the end surfaces of housing parts 2 and 3. In the shown preferred embodiment the coupling means are illustrated by means of snap tongues 36 on hood 3 and openings 205 co-acting therewith in plate-like body 201. Housing part 2 is provided with corresponding snap tongues 26.

Shaft coupling means 10 comprise three co-acting parts 11, 12 and 13. Part 11 is provided with a non-round opening 14 for engaging on rotatable shaft 102. The non- round opening 14 extends over a certain length which is determined by a bush 15. Part 12 is generally annular and has dimensions such that bush 15 can protrude through ring 12. Part 11 and part 12 are provided with co-acting coupling means which are formed in this embodiment by a number of co-acting tongues 16-1 and grooves 17-1. Third part 13 is likewise generally annular and has dimensions such that bush 15 can protrude through the annular opening. Part 13 is also provided with co-acting coupling means for coupling to part 12. In this embodiment the co- acting coupling means are likewise co-acting tongues 16-2 and grooves 17-2. The orientation of tongues 16-2 is rotated approximately 90 degrees relative to the orientation of tongues 16-1. The orientation of grooves 17-2 is rotated

approximately 90 degrees relative to the orientation of grooves 17-1. Co-acting parts 11 , 12 and 13 are based on the Oldham coupling known in the art. The original Oldham coupling is intended for the purpose of coupling two non-aligned shafts. The Oldham coupling is adapted within the context of the present invention such that it provides a passage for one rotatable shaft.

The present invention is of course not limited to the described and shown preferred embodiment. The first and second housing parts could for instance also be manufactured integrally. The operating device according to the invention is generally suitable for automatic operation of cord screens which have to be made to length. The operating device is suitable for placing at any desired location in the elongate housing, even between the ladder cords or equivalents thereof, in addition to the preferred embodiment in Venetian blinds, the operating device according to the invention can also be applied particularly advantageously in other window covering, such as folding blinds, pleated blinds and so on.

The present invention generally provides a technically reliable, automatic operation of window coverings which can be produced at low cost. The automatic operation according to the invention is moreover particularly safe in daily use due to the absence of loose hanging control cords. It is possible with the present invention to take advantage of an increasing market demand for a safe and inexpensive automatic operation of window coverings which has a simple assembly and is suitable for custom work, cut-down application and for the DIY home improvement market.

Claims

1. Device for automatically operating a screen, such as a window covering, provided with cords, the screen comprising an elongate housing in which is arranged at least one rotatable shaft provided with at least one winding roller for winding up or unwinding the cords of the screen, wherein the device comprises a motorized drive and at least one mechanical transmission co-acting with the motorized drive and provided with shaft coupling means for rotatingly driving the shaft, wherein the device is suitable for receiving in the elongate housing, and wherein the device is provided with a passage for the rotatable shaft and wherein the shaft coupling means are arranged close to the passage, characterized in that the device is provided on one longitudinal side with a recess for the cords.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the shaft coupling means are provided on the peripheral edge with a toothing which forms part of the mechanical transmission.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the mechanical transmission comprises co-acting toothed wheels.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the device comprises a first housing part in which the passage and the shaft coupling means are received.

5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the device comprises a second housing part in which the motorized drive is received.

6. Device as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the first and second housing part are provided with co-acting coupling means.

7. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second housing part is provided on one longitudinal side with a recess for the rotatable shaft.

8. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the shaft coupling means comprise an Oldham coupling in which a continuous opening is arranged for the rotatable shaft.

9. Screen, such as a window covering, provided with cords, the screen comprising an elongate housing in which is arranged at least one rotatable shaft provided with at least one winding roller for winding up or unwinding the cords of the screen, which screen is provided with a device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

10. Screen as claimed in claim 9, wherein the device is situated in the elongate housing between the ladder cords.

11. Method for arranging the device in the screen as claimed in claim 9 or 10, comprising the following steps of:

c) Placing the shaft through the passage.