Apparatus and method for alignment of the lamellae of a blind and blind with a lamella alignment device

Abstract

A device for aligning slats (7) of a blind with a winding roller (3), wherein the winding roller (3) is rotatably mounted in a housing (1), with a first cord (5) which is arranged with its upper end (50) on the winding roller (3) in a receptacle (30), can be wound onto the winding roller (3) and exits the housing (1) in an exit area (10), wherein the winding roller (3) is rotatable in both directions in a position of the receptacle (30) of the first cord (5) within the exit area (10) and beyond it, whereby the first cord (5) can be wound onto the winding roller (3) in both directions.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for aligning the slats of a blind according to the preamble of claim 1, a blind according to claim 9 with a device according to the invention, and a method according to claim 14 for aligning the slats of a blind with a device according to the invention. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Blinds or venetian blinds are known in which the slats assume a closed, almost vertical position when the blind is lowered, thus increasingly darkening the interior during this process. When the blind is raised, the slats assume a substantially horizontal position so that the bottom rail can stack the slats neatly while simultaneously allowing as much light as possible into the interior. The slats can be continuously adjusted between these two extreme positions, so that, depending on requirements, greater or lesser shading or transparency can be achieved. Such a venetian blind is disclosed in DE 694 02 215.

[0003] This type of venetian blind has the disadvantage that when the slats are lowered, the interior of the room is initially darkened, even if only shading is desired. This can be particularly disruptive in offices because the workstations are briefly darkened. To achieve a slanted shading position, the slats must be briefly raised again after they have finished lowering. Only then are the workstations properly shaded. Such a venetian blind is disclosed in DE 600 17 006 or US 2010 / 084099.

[0004] To counteract this problem, other venetian blinds were developed in which the slats assume a predefined inclined position (e.g., 40°) when lowering, thus shading the interior throughout the entire lowering process without darkening it. This is achieved by the fact that the pivot bearings responsible for turning the slats not only have two end stops for the two extreme positions (horizontal and vertical, OPEN and CLOSED) of the slats, but also an intermediate stop for the inclined position during lowering. Only after the slats have fully lowered is the intermediate stop retracted by a mechanism that reacts to the complete unwinding of the lifting tape, and the slats are then turned into the vertical blackout position.

[0005] Such venetian blinds have several disadvantages. If the blinds are driven by an electric motor, this requires not only a limit switch for the uppermost position of the slats and one for the lowest position of the darkened blind, but also a limit switch for the intermediate position. Such electric drives are expensive, and the electrical installation is complex. The mechanism for the intermediate stop requires considerable space in or next to the pivot bearing and is often prone to malfunction. Complete closure of the slats is only possible when the blind is fully lowered, not partially lowered.

[0006] Other venetian blinds are known that also feature pivot bearings with an intermediate stop, but this stop is not actuated by a mechanism that reacts to the complete unwinding of the lifting tape. The intermediate stop is pulled away, and thus the slats are closed, at any desired height by a short upward movement followed by a downward movement of the slats. However, this additional mechanism requires considerable space, is complex and therefore expensive, causes switching noises, and is prone to malfunctions. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a device for aligning the slats of a blind, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0008] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the device, a blind, and a method for aligning the slats of a blind are defined by features of further claims.

[0009] An inventive device for aligning the slats of a blind has a winding roller, wherein the winding roller is rotatably mounted in a housing, with a first cord, the upper end of which is arranged in a receptacle on the winding roller, being wound onto the winding roller and exiting the housing at an exit point. The winding roller is rotatable in both directions within and beyond the exit point in a position where the first cord is receptacled, thus allowing the first cord to be wound onto the winding roller in either direction. This results in the slats not being in an approximately vertical closed position when lowered, but rather, due to the winding onto the winding roller in the opposite direction, being in an inclined position after being completely unwound from the winding roller in one direction.This has the advantage that the slats do not completely darken the room when lowered and only darken when the winding roller is activated again in the opposite direction.

[0010] According to the invention, the outlet area is located below the winding roller or in the lower region of the winding roller in the device's intended operating position. This represents the simplest design. Alternatively, the outlet area can be located to the side of the winding roller. However, such an arrangement requires deflection elements to prevent the first cord from rubbing against the housing and being damaged.

[0011] In one embodiment, the device has at least one adjustable stop with which the rotation of the winding roller can be limited in a first direction of rotation and / or in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first. This limitation allows the position of the slats, or their orientation, to be determined during lowering and raising.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the device has two adjustable stops, wherein a first stop limits the rotation of the winding roller in the first direction of rotation, and a second stop limits the rotation of the winding roller in the second direction of rotation. This allows for individual determination of the limit of the movement of the slats, or the orientation of the slats when lowering or raising them, and thus the definition of the open and downward positions of the slats.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first cord has a first lower section and a second upper section. The second section comprises the upper end. The first and second sections have different structures, with the structure of the second section being designed to be suitable for winding onto the spool. The first section is exposed to the elements and is therefore made of a weather-resistant material, for example, a polyester braid with an aramid support thread. Aramid or Kevlar is very strong but has limited flexibility. The second section is made of a polyester braid with a polyester core, which is well-suited for winding onto the spool.

[0014] In another embodiment, the upper end of the first cord is pivotally mounted in the receptacle on the winding spool. This pivotal arrangement prevents the end of the cord from being subjected to strong cyclic bending stresses, thus increasing its service life. The bending stress results from the fact that the two cords are close together when the slats are closed and apart when they are open.

[0015] In another embodiment, a backstop mechanism is arranged between the winding roller and the stops, which increases the rotation angle of the winding roller between the open and closed positions. Without this backstop mechanism, the winding roller could only be rotated a maximum of approximately 360 degrees from the open position to the closed position using a single stop. With two stops arranged side-by-side for the open and closed positions, the rotation angle is further reduced to approximately 320 degrees. The larger rotation angle allows for a greater winding length of the first cord and thus a greater tilting motion of the slats. Without this mechanism, winding rollers with larger diameters would have to be used to achieve the same winding length. The backstop mechanism therefore allows for a smaller overall size.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the dead-wind mechanism comprises a first disk and a second disk, the first disk being operatively connected to the winding reel, with at least a first groove and a first stop element provided between the first disk and the second disk, the first groove having a first stop at one end and a second stop at its other end, the first stop element being able to move freely and essentially without force transmission between the two disks in the groove from the first stop to the second stop, and the second disk having a second stop element which can abut the adjustable stops. With the dead-wind mechanism, the winding reel can be rotated more than 360 degrees from the open position before the downward position stop is reached. The maximum rotation angle can be slightly less than 720 degrees.The angle of rotation between the first and second stops of the first groove, as well as the width of the stop element, defines the angle to be subtracted from 720 degrees. Angles of rotation of, for example, 450, 540, 630 or more, and angles in between, can thus be achieved.

[0017] In one embodiment, a groove is formed in the winding roller into which the first line can be wound. The groove allows for better lateral guidance of the line and ensures that the lateral position of the line does not change too much during winding or unwinding. dh that it remains within the groove width.

[0018] The aforementioned embodiments of the lamella alignment device can be used in any combination, provided they do not contradict each other.

[0019] An inventive venetian blind with slats comprises an inventive device for aligning the slats and a second cord. The upper end of the second cord is fixed to the housing, and the slats are pivotally arranged between the two cords such that they can be aligned between an open position, in which they are essentially horizontal, and a closed position, in which they are essentially vertical. By rotating the winding spool in one direction, the first cord can be unwound from the spool, thereby aligning the slats from the open position to the closed position. In the closed position, the first cord is located at the housing's exit point.By continuing to rotate the winding spool in the same direction, the first cord can be wound back onto the spool, allowing the slats to be adjusted from the closed position to a downward position. Such a blind can utilize all the advantages of the inventive device for adjusting the slats described above. Since the position of the second cord does not change while the winding spool is rotating, the corresponding bearings of the slats also remain in the same position. When the first cord is wound onto or unwound from the spool, each slat pivots around the bearing point on the side of the second cord. Because the movement occurs only on this side, the vertical movement of the first cord is greater than in a blind where both cords move in opposite directions.With the same rotational speed of the winding roller as in a two-cable-controlled blind, the slats of a single-cable-controlled blind are aligned at half the tilting speed. The movement is therefore smoother, and the clattering noises that occur when fully closing are significantly reduced.

[0020] In one embodiment, the stops can be arranged on the housing such that the orientation of the slats in the downward position corresponds to that of the open position or to an orientation between the open and closed positions. This allows the user to adjust the blind to their needs. By selecting the position of the corresponding stop, the orientation of the slats in the open position can be set horizontally, nearly horizontally, or at an angle. If a downward position of the slats is preferred, which minimizes the darkening of the interior when lowered, the corresponding stop can be positioned on the housing in a designated insertion point so that the slat position corresponds to the open position or a position close to it. Accordingly, the stop can be reconfigured if significant darkening when the slats are lowered is preferred.

[0021] In another embodiment, the upper end of the second cord is arranged on the housing. This allows for a system that can be fully installed and removed as a module.

[0022] In one embodiment, the blind further comprises a profile in which the housing is arranged and the upper end of the second cord is attached to the profile. Since, in the closed position, essentially the entire weight of the slats and both cords is borne by the upper end of the second cord, not only the upper end of the cord but also its attachment point must be correspondingly robust. With a housing arranged within a profile, it is therefore advantageous to position the attachment point for the second cord on the profile itself. Such profiles are usually made of steel or aluminum and possess corresponding strengths. The profile can extend across the entire width of the blind, and all slat alignment devices can be arranged within a single profile. Alternatively, some of the devices can be arranged within a single profile, or all devices can be arranged within separate profiles.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second cord has a first lower section and a second upper section, the second section comprising the upper end. The upper end of the second section is hinged, and / or the connection between the first and second sections is hinged. The division into two sections allows for versatile and flexible use of the blind, as the second section can be specifically tailored to the end user's requirements. The two-part design with a simple connection system allows for easy and straightforward replacement of the lower cord sections along with the attached slats.

[0024] The aforementioned designs of the blind can be used in any combination, provided they do not contradict each other.

[0025] An inventive method for aligning the slats of a blind comprises the following steps: Rotating the spooling reel in a direction of rotation, whereby the first line is unwound from the spooling reel in the exit area, with the first line being completely unwound when the first line's receptacle is at the exit area; continuing to rotate the spooling reel in the same direction of rotation after the first line has been completely unwound from the spooling reel in the exit area, so that the first line's receptacle passes the exit area, thereby rewinding the first line in the exit area onto the spooling reel.

[0026] By rewinding the cord, the slats on the side of the first cord are lifted again, allowing them to assume an open position when the blind slats are lowered, thus preventing the interior from being too darkened when lowered.

[0027] During lowering, the slats are aligned by rotating the winding roller in one direction from the open position through the closed position to the downward position.

[0028] By turning the winding roller in the opposite direction, the slats are aligned from the downward position through the closed position to the open position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted restrictively. They show Fig. 1 a lateral sectional view through a device according to the invention in an open position; Fig. 2 the side sectional view of the Figure 1 in a closed position; Fig. 3 the side sectional view of the Figure 1 in a downward position; Fig. 4a perspective exploded view of the device according to the invention from a front viewpoint; Fig. 5 a perspective exploded view of a dead man's switch mechanism; and Fig. 6 a perspective rear view of the Figure 5 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a side sectional view through a device according to the invention in an open position. The device has a housing 1 with a removable lid 13, which is part of the housing. An embodiment is shown in which the housing 1 is arranged in a profile 2. The profile is an open profile with a base wall 20 and side walls 21 projecting at right angles to it. The side walls 21 are bent inwards in a semicircular shape at their free ends. The housing 1 is longitudinally displaceable within the profile 2, perpendicular to the plane of the view shown in this illustration. A winding roller 3 is rotatably mounted in the housing 1 and is rotatable by a drive shaft 4 arranged centrally with respect to the winding roller 3. A first cord 5 is arranged with its upper end 50 on the winding roller 3 in a rotatable receptacle 30 and exits the housing 1 in an exit area 10.The outlet area 10 is located in the lower region of the winding roller 3 and extends over part of the width of the housing 1. The winding roller 3 has a groove 31 in which the first cord 5 can be guided on the winding roller 3. The outlet area 10 extends at least over the width of the groove 31. The first cord 5 has a first section 51, on which the lamellae 7 are pivotally arranged on one side, and a second section 52, which can be wound onto the winding roller 3. The first section 51 is made of a weather-resistant material, and the second section 52 is made of a material that is easy to wind. The first and second sections of the first cord 5 are detachably connected to each other. A second cord 6 is pivotally arranged at its upper end 60 on the bent free end of the profile 2.The second cord 6 has a first section 61 to which the slats 7 are pivotally attached on their opposite side, and a second section 62 which is pivotally attached to the profile 2. The first section 61 is made of a weather-resistant material, and the second section 62 is made of a robust material capable of supporting the total weight of all slats 7 and cords 5, 6. The second cord 6 is attached to the profile 2 by a metal hook. The first and second sections of the second cord 6 are detachably connected to each other. All conventional slats 7 with laterally pivoted attachments can be used with the slat alignment device according to the invention. Instead of a slat, an end profile is arranged at the lowest attachment point of the two cords.

[0031] The Figure 2 shows the side sectional view of the Figure 1in a closed position. In the closed position, the first cord 5 is essentially completely unwound from the winding spool 3 through the exit area 10 of the housing 1. The first cord 5 is in its lowest position, and the lamellae 7 on the side of the second cord 5 are completely folded downwards. The entire weight of the lamellae 7 and the cords 5, 6 hangs from the upper end 60 of the second cord. 6. The slats 7 overlap each other, so that the stacked slats 7 are essentially opaque and do not allow any light to pass through. The closed position can be set at any height, independent of the position of the bottom slat or the end profile.

[0032] The Figure 3 shows the side sectional view of the Figure 1In a downward position, the first cord 5 is rewound onto the winding roller 3 by continuing to rotate it in the same direction. When the cord receptacle 30 passes the exit area 10 of the housing 1, it pivots to the opposite side. This pivoting action prevents the first cord 5 from kinking in the area immediately following the receptacle 30. This reduces stress and results in an increased service life. As the cord 5 is rewound, it is pulled through the exit area 10 and into the housing 1. Consequently, the ends of the slats, which are articulated on the first cord 5, are pulled upwards, increasing the distance between the individual slats 7 and allowing light to pass through the blind again.

[0033] The Figure 4Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of the device according to the invention from a front view. A drive roller 32 is arranged concentrically between the drive shaft (not shown) and the winding roller 3, and a brake element 8 is arranged between the drive roller 32 and the winding roller 3, which increases the friction between the two adjacent bodies. Rotation of the drive roller 32 is transmitted to the winding roller 3 by friction. If the winding roller 3 is blocked, the drive roller 32 can continue to rotate if the braking element prevents rotation. 8, i.e.The frictional forces generated by a spiral spring are overcome. On the opposite side of the drive roller 32, a dead-run mechanism 9 with a first disc 91 and a second disc 92 is arranged concentrically to the winding roller 3. The first disc 91 has rod-shaped drivers 914 which engage laterally in the winding roller 3 in a form-fitting manner. After the drive roller 32 and the brake element are assembled... 8, the winding roller 3, of the dead-run mechanism 9 and the first cord 5,These elements can be inserted into the housing 1 from above as a pre-assembled unit. The housing 1 can then be closed with a cover 13. The housing 1 has openings at its ends into which the stops 11 and 12 can be detachably inserted. The openings are formed in the housing wall adjacent to the dead-wind mechanism 9. The openings are arranged on a diameter whose center lies on the axis of rotation of the winding roller 3.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a perspective exploded view of a dead-run mechanism 9 and the Figure 6 shows a perspective rear view of the Figure 5 .The dead-end mechanism 9 comprises a first disk 91 and a second disk 92, which are arranged on a common longitudinal axis 90. The first disk is essentially an annular disk with an outer diameter and a concentric inner diameter, the common center of which lies on the longitudinal axis 90. On one side of the first disk 91, two drivers 914 are arranged adjacent to the inner diameter, extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis 90 from the disk surface over a multiple of the disk thickness. The two drivers 914 are arranged on the circumference on one side with respect to the longitudinal axis 90. On the side of the first disk 91 opposite the drivers 914, a groove 910 is formed in its end face, extending along a diameter whose center lies on the longitudinal axis 90.The groove does not extend completely along the entire circumference, but only along a circular segment. In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 910 extends over an angle of approximately 225 degrees. A first stop 911 is formed at the first end of the groove 910, and a second stop 912 at the second end. Between the two stops 911 and 912, a projection 913 is formed, which extends longitudinally away from the disk surface. The height of the projection 913 is less than the depth of the groove 910. On the same side as the groove 910, a sleeve extends longitudinally from the disk surface, with its inner diameter. The length of the sleeve corresponds to the thickness of the second disk 92. The first disk 91 is an injection-molded plastic part, for example, made of polybutylene terephthalate, and the disk elements described above are formed together in one piece.The second disk 92 has a second groove 920 on one end face, which extends along a diameter whose center lies on the longitudinal axis 90. The depth of the second groove 920 corresponds to the height of the projection 913 of the first disk 91. In the assembled state, the projection 913 is rotatably guided in the second groove 920 about the longitudinal axis 90. A first stop element 921 is provided within the second groove 920, which extends in the longitudinal direction and, in the assembled state, can engage in the first groove 910 of the first disk and, by a relative rotation between the two disks 91, 92, can abut the first or second stop 911, 912. The height of the first stop element 921 corresponds to the depth of the first groove 910. A second stop element 922 is arranged on the end face opposite the second groove 920.The second stop element 922 extends from the outer diameter towards the center of the second disc 92. The inner diameter of the second disc 92 corresponds to the outer diameter of the sleeve of the first disc 91. In assembly, the second disc 92 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve of the first disc 91 about the longitudinal axis 90. The outer diameter of the second disc 92 corresponds to the outer diameter of the first disc 91. The second disc 92 is an injection-molded part made of the same material as the first disc, and the disc elements described above are formed together in one piece. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Housing 61 first section 10 Exit area 62 second section 11 stop 7 lamella 12 stop 8 Brake element 13 Lid 9 Death mechanism 2 profile 90 Longitudinal axis 20 Base wall 91 first disc 21 side wall 910 first notch 3 winding spool 911 first attack 30 Recording 912 second attack 31 Nut 913 Survey 32 drive roller 914 drive 4 drive shaft 92 second disc 5 first string 920 second groove 50 upper end 921 first stop element 51 first section 52 second section 922 second stop element 6 second cord 60 upper end

Claims

1. A device for aligning slats (7) of a blind, comprising a winding roller (3), a housing (1) and a first cord (5), wherein the winding roller (3) is rotatably mounted in the housing (1), wherein the first cord (5), which is arranged with its upper end (50) on the winding roller (3) in a receptacle (30), is windable onto the winding roller (3) and exits the housing (1) in an exit region (10), wherein the exit region (10) is located, in the intended position of use of the device, either a) below the winding roller (3), b) in the lower region of the winding roller (3), or c) to the side of the winding roller (3), wherein the winding roller (3) is rotatable in both directions, characterized in that the first cord (5) is completely unwound when the receptacle (30) of the first cord (5) is located at the exit region (10), wherein, by further rotation of the winding roller (3) in the same direction of rotation after the first cord (5) has been completely unwound from the winding roller (3) in the exit area (10), the receptacle (30) for the first cord (5) passes the exit area (10), whereby the first cord (5) is wound back onto the winding roller (3) in the exit area (10), wherein the winding roller (3) is rotatable in a position of the receptacle (30) of the first cord (5) within the exit area (10) within this exit area (10) and beyond this in both directions, whereby the first cord (5) is windable onto the winding roller (3) in both directions.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has at least one adjustable stop (11, 12) with which the rotation of the winding roller (3) is limitable in a first direction of rotation and / or in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device has two adjustable stops (11, 12), wherein the rotation of the winding roller (3) in the first direction of rotation is limitable with a first stop (11), and wherein the rotation of the winding roller (3) in the second direction of rotation is limitable with a second stop (12).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first cord (5) has a first lower section (51) and a second upper section (52), wherein the second section (52) comprises the upper end (50), and wherein the first section (51) and the second section (52) have different structures, wherein the structure of the second section (52) is designed such that it is suitable for winding onto the winding roller (3).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper end (50) of the first cord (5) is flexibly arranged in the receptacle (30) on the winding roller (3).

6. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a dead travel mechanism (9) is arranged between the winding roller (3) and the stops (11, 12), by which the angle of rotation of the winding roller (3) between the open position and the downward position can be increased.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the dead travel mechanism (9) comprises a first disc (91) and a second disc (92), wherein the first disc (91) is operatively connected to the winding roller (3), wherein at least one first groove (910) is provided between the first disc (91) and the second disc (92) and a first stop element (921) is provided, wherein the first groove (910) has a first stop (911) at its one end and a second stop (912) at its other end, wherein the first stop element (921) can move unhindered and essentially without force transmission between the two discs (91, 92) from the first stop (911) to the second stop (912) in the groove (910) and wherein the second disc (92) has a second stop element (922) which can abut against the adjustable stops (11, 12).

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a groove (31) is formed in the winding roller (3), in which the first cord (5) is windable.

9. A blind with slats (7), a device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for aligning the slats (7), and with a second cord (6), which is arranged with its upper end (60) fixed relative to the housing (1) and wherein the slats (7) are flexibly arranged between the two cords (5, 6) such that they are orientable between an open position, in which they are essentially horizontal, and a closed position, in which they are essentially vertical, wherein by the rotation of the winding roller (3) in one direction of rotation, the first cord (5) can be unwound from the winding roller (3) and the slats (7) are thus orientable from the open position to the closed position, in which the receptacle (30) of the first cord (5) (5) is located at the exit area (10), and wherein by further rotating the winding roller (3) in the same direction of rotation, the first cord (5) can be wound back onto the winding roller (3), the slats (7) thereby being orientable from the closed position to a downward position.

10. The blind according to claim 9, wherein the stops (11, 12) can be arranged on the housing (1) in such a way that the orientation of the slats (7) in the downward position corresponds to that in the open position or to an orientation between the open position and the closed position.

11. The blind according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the upper end (60) of the second cord (6) is arranged on the housing (1).

12. The blind according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the blind further comprises a profile (2) in which the housing (1) is arranged, and wherein the upper end (60) of the second cord (6) is arranged on the profile (2).

13. The blind according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second cord (6) has a first lower section (61) and a second upper section (62), wherein the second section (62) comprises the upper end (60), and wherein the arrangement of the second section (62) at the upper end (60) is flexibly designed and / or wherein the connection point between the first section (61) and the second section (62) is flexibly designed.

14. Method for aligning slats (7) of a blind according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising the steps: - rotating the winding roller (3) in a direction of rotation, whereby the first cord (5) is unwound from the winding roller (3) in the exit region (10), the first cord (5) being completely unwound when the receptacle (30) of the first cord (5) is located at the exit region (10); - further rotating the winding roller (3) in the same direction of rotation after the first cord (5) has been completely unwound from the winding roller (3) in the exit area (10), so that the receptacle (30) of the first cord (5) passes the exit area (10), whereby the first cord (5) is wound back onto the winding roller (3) in the exit area (10).

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