sun protection system

Abstract

A sun protection system (100) with a control unit (108) for controlling a power supply of the sun protection system (100), wherein the power supply of the sun protection system (100) is switchable between a first power supply (104) and a second power supply (106) by the control unit (108), wherein the control unit (108) has a first signal input (110), wherein the control unit (108) is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the first power supply (104) to the second power supply (106) when a signal is received on the first signal input (110) and to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) when the signal on the first signal input (110) is lost, characterized in that the control unit (108) has at least a second signal input (112) and is configured toUpon receiving a signal on the second signal input (112), the power supply of the sun protection system (100) is switched from the first power supply (104) to the second power supply (106), and upon the loss of the signal on the second signal input (112), the second power supply (106) is maintained, irrespective of any changes in the state of the first signal input (110), wherein the sun protection system (100) further comprises an actuating element (116) for the control unit (108), wherein actuation of the actuating element (116) causes the power supply to be switched from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) if, at the same time, no signal is received on either the first signal input (110) or the second signal input (112).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sun protection system with a control unit for controlling a power supply to the sun protection system according to the preamble of claim 1, and a control unit for such a sun protection system according to the preamble of claim 7.

[0002] Sun protection systems are known in numerous variations in the prior art. They typically include a fabric covering used to darken a window or door, which is either rollable or retractable. At least one electric motor is usually provided for rolling and unrolling, or for retracting and unfolding the covering. This motor, when controlled accordingly, rolls and unrolls, retracts, or unfolds the covering. In emergency situations, such as house fires, it is essential to ensure that the sun protection system covering is rolled or retracted so that windows and doors are unobstructed for rescue and firefighting operations.

[0003] For example, EP 2 392 764 A2 and US 5 469 138 A describe sun protection systems with a retractable or rollable blind, an electric primary drive for extending and retracting the blind, and an emergency retraction device. The emergency retraction device includes an electric secondary drive for accelerated retraction of the blind. A control unit is also described, which controls the primary and secondary drives. The control unit and the secondary drive are powered by an emergency power supply independent of the mains voltage.

[0004] The switch between normal operation and emergency operation via the emergency retraction device is usually automated by a suitably configured building management system. However, it is often not sufficiently controllable when a switch between emergency and normal operation occurs.

[0005] From US patent 2008 / 0266076 A1, a control unit is known which has a second signal input by means of which a switch to a second power supply can be made when a signal is applied.

[0006] In contrast, the present invention is based on the objective of providing a sun protection system that enables improved control of the switching behavior of the sun protection system. This objective is achieved by the present invention.

[0007] The main features of the invention are specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 and in claim 7. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 6.

[0008] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a sun protection system with a control unit for controlling the power supply of the sun protection system, wherein the power supply of the sun protection system can be switched between a first power supply and a second power supply by the control unit. The control unit has a first signal input and is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system from the first power supply to the second power supply when a signal is received at the first signal input. When the signal at the first signal input is lost, the control unit is further configured to switch the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply. According to the invention, this control unit has at least a second signal input.The control unit is designed to switch the power supply from the first power supply to the second power supply when a signal is received on the second signal input, and to maintain the second power supply when the signal on the second signal input is no longer present, regardless of changes in the state of the first signal input.

[0009] This means that after a signal is received and subsequently lost on the second signal input, the power supply to the sun protection system continues to be permanently ensured by the second power supply, even if a signal is received on the first signal input in the meantime, or if the signal on the first signal input is lost.

[0010] In this way, a sun protection system can be created with a control unit that allows for the prioritization of signals received by the control unit. For example, the signals received by the control unit can represent different types of error messages. There are typically low-priority error messages, which might indicate a power outage, and high-priority error messages, which might indicate a hazardous situation, such as a fire in the building where the sun protection system is installed.

[0011] For example, if the primary power supply fails, a signal is transmitted to the first signal input of the control unit, whereupon the control unit switches the power supply for the sun protection system to a secondary power supply. As soon as the primary power supply is available again, the signal at the first signal input is deactivated, whereupon the control unit switches the power supply back to the primary supply. Conversely, if, for example, a fire alarm is triggered within a building where the sun protection system is installed, this causes a signal at the second signal input of the control unit. In this case, too, the power supply is switched to the secondary power supply.

[0012] If, for example, the fire is extinguished, or the cause of the signal on the second signal input is generally resolved, the signal is switched off, for instance, by a building management system. Despite the signal being absent, the control unit continues to ensure that the power supply to the sun protection system is maintained via the second power supply. The power supply can remain switched to the second power supply until it is manually switched back to the first power supply, for example, by the fire department. This ensures that the power supply is only switched back to the first power supply once the hazardous situation has been resolved, the situation has been reviewed by appropriately authorized personnel, and is no longer considered hazardous. This prevents a premature, automated switch to the first power supply.

[0013] According to further features of the invention, the sun protection system or its control unit also includes an actuating element for the control unit, wherein actuation of the actuating element causes the power supply to be switched from the second power supply to the first power supply if no signal is received on either the first or the second signal input. For example, the actuating element can be a push button or a push-button switch. The actuating element can be located either directly on the control unit or remotely from the control unit, for example in a control center. This allows for a simple reset of the power supply, for example after a hazardous situation has been resolved.At the same time, the restriction that the power supply is only reset if no signal is received by the control unit on the first or second signal input ensures that an unintentional activation of the control element does not lead to a premature switching of the power supply.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the second power supply is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Using an uninterruptible power supply as the secondary power supply ensures that a reliable power supply is always available, both in the event of a high-priority and a low-priority event, thus guaranteeing the uninterrupted operation of the sun protection system. The uninterruptible power supply is preferably dimensioned to ensure the power supply to the sun protection system over an extended period. This ensures, for example, that the sun protection system remains operational even during prolonged firefighting operations in the event of a fire. Both energy storage devices and generators can be used as the uninterruptible power supply.

[0015] The actuating element is preferably connected to a third signal input of the control unit, the control unit being configured to switch the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply only upon receiving at least two opposing signal edges at the third signal input. A signal edge is understood, for example, to be the transition from a first state of the signal input to a second state. The opposing signal edge would therefore be the transition of the signal input from the second state to the first state. By using two opposing signal edges, it can be ensured that, due to the third signal input, a switch in the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply only occurs when the actuating element is intentionally actuated.

[0016] If, for example, the trigger condition for the third signal input were simply a specific state of the third signal input, or a single change of state, a short circuit or an open connection could also lead to a signal on the third signal input, which the control unit would interpret as the activation of the operating element. In this case, the power supply could be switched by the control unit, even though this is unintended. Particularly in emergency situations, this could have serious consequences if, for example, the primary power supply is still insufficient, but activation of the sun protection system becomes necessary for rescue purposes. However, such an unintentional switching of the power supply is effectively prevented by using two opposing signal edges as the trigger signal.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment, the control unit is configured to switch the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply after a defined period of time following the loss of a signal at the first signal input. For example, it can be provided that after the loss of the signal at the first signal input, the power supply switchover only occurs after a delay of 5 minutes. In this way, the first power supply has time to stabilize so that a renewed load from the sun protection system does not lead to another failure of the first power supply.

[0018] Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, it can be advantageous to extend the defined time period by an additional time period randomly selected within a defined interval. For example, it can be provided that a random value in the range of -1 minute to +1 minute is added to the aforementioned time period of 5 minutes. These embodiments are particularly advantageous when a plurality of sun protection systems according to the invention are connected to the same first power supply. In this case, after the signal on the first signal input of the control units of the sun protection systems fails, the control units of all sun protection systems would simultaneously switch the power supply from the second power supply to the first power supply. This can cause an enormous load on the first power supply, which can lead to another failure of the first power supply.However, a statistically distributed offset of the switching times ensures with a high degree of probability that the individual control units of the sun protection systems switch to the primary power supply at different times. This prevents a short-term, high load peak in the primary power supply.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the sun protection system has at least one retractable or rollable blind, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the blind to retract upon receiving a signal at the first or second signal input. In this way, for example, it can be ensured that a passageway obscured by the sun protection system is cleared in the event of a dangerous situation.

[0020] In another aspect, the invention relates to a control unit for a sun protection system as previously described. This control unit is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system between a first power supply and a second power supply. The control unit has a first signal input and is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system from the first power supply to the second power supply when a signal is received at the first signal input, and to switch the power supply of the sun protection system from the second power supply to the first power supply when the signal at the first signal input is no longer present.According to the invention, the control unit has at least one second signal input and is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system from the first power supply to the second power supply when a signal is received on the second signal input, and to maintain the second power supply when the signal on the second signal input is no longer present, regardless of changes in the state of the first signal input, wherein the control unit further has an actuating element for the control unit, wherein actuation of the actuating element causes the power supply to be switched from the second power supply to the first power supply if at the same time no signal is received on either the first or the second signal input.

[0021] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a sun protection system with a control unit.

[0022] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sun protection system 100. The sun protection system 100 includes, for example, a retractable or rollable blind, which is intended for darkening a window or door. A device for retracting or rolling up the blind is connected to an electric motor, which is designed to roll up or down, or to retract or unfold the blind, when energized. The sun protection system is connected to a distributor 102, which is designed to control the power supply to the sun protection system 100.

[0023] The distributor 102 is connected to a first power supply 104 and a second power supply 106 and is configured to control either the first power supply 104 or the second power supply 106 as the energy supply for the sun protection system. The first power supply 104 can, for example, be a connection to the general power grid, while the second power supply 106 is preferably an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The uninterruptible power supply can be either an energy storage device such as a battery or a power generator.

[0024] The distributor 102 is connected to a control unit 108, which can control the distributor 102 so that it switches between the two existing power supplies 104 and 106. The control unit 108 has three signal inputs 110, 112, and 114. Signal input 110 is referred to below as the "first signal input," while signal input 112 is referred to as the "second signal input." The two signal inputs 110 and 112 are connected, for example, to a building management system 118. The third signal input 114 is also connected to an actuating element 116, such as a push button or switch. According to the invention, the first signal input 110 represents a low-priority signal input, while the second signal input 112 represents a high-priority signal input.A control unit 108 can certainly have several signal inputs with high or low priority. However, for the sake of clarity, only one signal input will be assumed here, the function of which will be explained below using an example.

[0025] In an exemplary initial state, the power supply to the sun protection system 100 is ensured by the first power supply 104. Due to disturbances in the general power supply, for example caused by a fault on the part of the network operator, the first power supply 104 fails. This failure is registered, for example, by the building management system 118. Since such a power outage or fault in the network is a non-safety-relevant event, a signal is subsequently sent to the first signal input 110. A signal can generally be understood as a change in voltage on the signal line of the first signal input 110.

[0026] Upon receiving a signal at the first signal input 110, the control unit 108 is configured to control the distributor 102 in such a way that the power supply to the sun protection system 100 is switched from the first power supply 104 to the second power supply 106. Thus, for the duration of a failure of the first power supply 104, the power supply to the sun protection system 100 is still ensured by the second power supply 106. It may also be provided that, for safety reasons, when the power supply is switched, the sun protection system 100 is simultaneously controlled so that the blind of the sun protection system 100 is wound up or gathered.

[0027] As soon as the first power supply 104 is available again, this is registered by the building management system 118 and the first signal input 110 is reset. Based on the reset of the first signal input 110, the control unit 108 controls the distributor 102 so that the power supply is switched back from the second power supply 106 to the first power supply 104. This switchover to the first power supply 104 can occur with a defined time delay, allowing the first power supply 104 sufficient time to stabilize after a failure. Furthermore, a random value can be added to this time delay, so that in the case of numerous sun protection systems 100, all connected to the same first power supply 104, a load peak in the first power supply 104 can be avoided due to the simultaneous switching of all sun protection systems 100.

[0028] If a hazardous situation arises in a building where the sun protection system 100 is installed, such as a fire, this is also registered by the building management system 118, for example via smoke detectors. In this case, however, the building management system 118 sends a signal to the second signal input 112 of the control unit 108. The control unit 108 then controls the distributor 102 so that it switches the power supply of the sun protection system 100 from the first power supply 104 to the second power supply 106. Furthermore, it can be provided that the sun protection system 100 is controlled in such a way that the fabric of the sun protection system is drawn back or rolled up.

[0029] If the fire is extinguished, the building's smoke detectors may no longer register a fire, causing the building management system 118 to reset the second signal input 112. In this case, however, the control unit 108 does not activate the distribution box 102. Instead, the power supply remains switched to the second power supply 106. Only when, for example, the fire department has determined that the hazardous situation is resolved, can the actuator 116 be activated. If, when the actuator 116 is activated, there is no signal present at either the first signal input 104 or the second signal input 106, the control unit 108 is configured to activate the distribution box 102, thus switching the power supply to the sun protection system 100 back to the first power supply 104. This prevents a situation where, in the event of a high-priority incident, the second signal input 102 is not activated.Due to high relevance, a change in the power supply occurs even though a potentially underlying hazardous situation has not yet been clarified.

[0030] If, after the loss of a signal at the second signal input 112, a signal and / or the subsequent loss of the signal at the first signal input 110 is detected, this does not lead to the control unit 108 activating the distributor 102. Rather, after the second signal input 112 is triggered, the first signal input 110 is ignored until an actuation of the actuator 116 is registered.

[0031] The control unit 108 is preferably configured such that, following a signal on the third signal line 114, it only activates the distributor as described above if the received signal has both a rising and a falling edge. This ensures that the power supply is switched only when the actuator 116 is actually actuated. If, for example, the control unit 108 were to react to a single edge or a specific state of the third signal input 114, a short circuit or an open connection could also produce a signal that the control unit 108 would interpret as actuation of the actuator 116.

[0032] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways.

[0033] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and process steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations. Reference symbol list 100 sun protection system 102 distributors 104 first power supply 106 second power supply 108 Control unit 110 first signal input 112 second signal input 114 third signal input 116 Actuating element 118 Building automation systems

Claims

[1] A sun protection system (100) with a control unit (108) for controlling a power supply of the sun protection system (100), wherein the power supply of the sun protection system (100) can be switched between a first power supply (104) and a second power supply (106) by the control unit (108), wherein the control unit (108) has a first signal input (110), wherein the control unit (108) is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the first power supply (104) to the second power supply (106) when a signal is received on the first signal input (110) and to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) when the signal on the first signal input (110) is no longer received. characterized by, that the control unit (108) has at least one second signal input (112) and is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the first power supply (104) to the second power supply (106) when a signal is received on the second signal input (112) and to maintain the second power supply (106) when the signal on the second signal input (112) is no longer present, irrespective of changes in the state of the first signal input (110), wherein the sun protection system (100) further comprises an actuating element (116) for the control unit (108), wherein actuation of the actuating element (116) causes the power supply to be switched from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) if at the same time no signal is received on either the first signal input (110) or the second signal input (112). [2] Sun protection system (100) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the second power supply (106) is an uninterruptible power supply. [3] Sun protection system (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the actuating element (116) is connected to a third signal input (114) of the control unit (108), wherein the control unit (108) is configured to switch the power supply from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) only when at least two opposing signal edges are received on the third (114) signal input. [4] Sun protection system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (108) is designed to switch the power supply from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) after a defined period of time following the loss of a signal on the first signal input (110). [5] Sun protection system (100) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the defined time period is extended by an additional time period randomly selected within a defined interval. [6] Sun protection system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sun protection system (100) has at least one retractable or rollable blind, wherein the control unit (108) is designed to cause the blind to be retracted upon receipt of a signal on the first (110) or second signal input (112). [7] Control unit (108) for a sun protection system (100) according to one of claims 1-6, wherein the control unit (108) is configured to switch a power supply of the sun protection system (100) between a first power supply (104) and a second power supply (106), wherein the control unit (108) has a first signal input (110), wherein the control unit (108) is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the first power supply (104) to the second power supply (106) when a signal is received on the first signal input (110) and to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) when the signal on the first signal input (110) is no longer received. characterized by, that the control unit (108) has at least one second signal input (112) and is configured to switch the power supply of the sun protection system (100) from the first power supply (104) to the second power supply (106) when a signal is received on the second signal input (112) and to maintain the second power supply (106) when the signal on the second signal input (112) is no longer present, irrespective of changes in the state of the first signal input (110), wherein the control unit (108) further comprises an actuating element (116) for the control unit (108), wherein actuation of the actuating element (116) causes the power supply to be switched from the second power supply (106) to the first power supply (104) if at the same time no signal is received on either the first signal input (110) or the second signal input (112).

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