External screening device for roof window

Abstract

The external screening device includes a top casing provided with a first side bracket (5) and a second side bracket. An upper end of a flexible cover is attached to a hollow roller shaft arranged in the top casing for winding up the flexible cover. A tubular motor unit (14) has a motor tube (15) in which an electric drive unit is arranged and which is adapted to be inserted into the hollow roller shaft through the first side bracket. At least one snap connection is provided between the first side bracket (5) of the top casing and an end bracket (18) of the motor tube.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an external screening device for a roof window, the external screening device including a top casing having a first end provided with a first side bracket and a second end provided with a second side bracket, the first and second side brackets each having an inner side facing the top casing and an outer side facing away from the top casing, the top casing including a hollow roller shaft arranged to rotate about a roller axis, the hollow roller shaft having a first end being journalled rotationally at the first side bracket and a second end being journalled rotationally at the second side bracket, an upper end of a flexible cover being attached to the hollow roller shaft for winding up the flexible cover between an extended and a rolled up position, the external screening device including a tubular motor unit having a motor tube in which an electric drive unit is arranged and which is adapted to be inserted into the hollow roller shaft through the first side bracket, the motor tube having a first end provided with an end bracket at least partly extending radially from the motor tube for fixation of the motor tube to the first side bracket and a second end from which a drive shaft of the tubular motor unit extends, and the drive shaft being provided with a motor coupling for driving connection with the inside of the hollow roller shaft.

[0002] EP 3 219 899 B1 (VKR Holding A / S) discloses a screening device having bracket means for rotationally fixating a tubular drive train in relation to a window, wherein a motor tube is connected to the drive train at a first end of the motor tube by means of a first snap connection and wherein the motor tube is connected to the bracket means at a second end of the motor tube by means of a second snap connection. The bracket means is connected to the screening device by means of fixation means such as through holes through which screws, bolts, rivets or other may extend and connect the bracket means directly or indirectly to the window.

[0003] EP 1441103 B1 relates to a device for detachable coupling between a motor and a support, particularly for tubular motors for roll-up units and the like, comprising a coupling head that is formed at the axial end of a tubular motor and a support that can be connected to a fixed structure. Axially open peripheral recesses are provided on the head for detachable engagement with corresponding pins formed by the support. Automatic mating means provided on the support can be inserted in seats provided on the peripheral region of the head and can be disengaged by way of a manual radial divaricating action. This device is suitable for mounting a tubular motor of an internal screening device in an opening of a wall, whereby the support is mounted on the wall forming the fixed structure, and the coupling head of the tubular motor is connected to the support by the described mating means.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an external screening device wherein mounting and demounting of a tubular motor unit is facilitated.

[0005] In view of this object, at least one snap connection is provided between the first side bracket of the top casing and the end bracket of the motor tube.

[0006] In this way, the tubular motor unit may be mounted in the external screening device without the use of any tools, simply by pressing the tubular motor unit into the hollow roller shaft and letting the first snap connection part and the second snap connection part snap into engagement with each other. A completely screw free connection is achieved. Furthermore, of course, the tubular motor unit may be released from the external screening device without the use of any tools.

[0007] In a particular advantageous embodiment, the at least one snap connection (22, 22') includes a first snap connection part (23) arranged on the outer side (9) of the first side bracket (5) of the top casing (3) and a second snap connection part (24) arranged on the end bracket (18) of the motor tube (15), and the first snap connection part (23) and the second snap connection part (24) are adapted to snap into engagement with each other.

[0008] In an embodiment, the first snap connection part and the second snap connection part are adapted to snap into engagement with each other by displacement of the motor tube in the direction of the roller axis into the hollow roller shaft.

[0009] In an embodiment, the at least one snap connection is adapted to prevent at least axial displacement of the tubular motor unit in relation to the first side bracket. Rotation of the tubular motor unit in relation to the first side bracket about the roller axis may be prevented by other parts of the first side bracket of the top casing and the end bracket of the motor tube, such as a guide connection.

[0010] In an embodiment, the at least one snap connection is adapted to allow at least a certain rotation of the tubular motor unit in relation to the first side bracket about the roller axis. Under certain circumstances, it may be advantageous that rotation of the tubular motor unit in relation to the first side bracket about the roller axis is prevented by other parts of the first side bracket of the top casing and the end bracket of the motor tube than the at least one snap connection.

[0011] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the first or the second snap connection part includes an elastic arm extending in a direction parallel to the roller axis, and the elastic arm has a protrusion adapted to snap into engagement with an edge part of the other one of the first or the second snap connection part.

[0012] In an embodiment, at least one guide connection is provided between the first side bracket of the top casing and the end bracket of the motor tube, the at least one guide connection includes a first guide connection part arranged on the first side bracket of the top casing and a second guide connection part arranged on the end bracket of the motor tube, and the first guide connection part is adapted to slide into guided engagement with the second guide connection part. Under certain circumstances, it may be advantageous that rotation of the tubular motor unit in relation to the first side bracket about the roller axis is prevented by the at least one guide connection instead of the at least one snap connection. If the at least one snap connection includes an elastic part, a better accuracy in the rotational positioning of the tubular motor unit may be achieved by means of the dedicated at least one guide connection.

[0013] In an embodiment, the at least one guide connection is adapted to prevent at least rotation of the tubular motor unit in relation the first side bracket about the roller axis.

[0014] In an embodiment, the at least one guide connection is adapted to allow axial displacement of the tubular motor unit in relation to the first side bracket. In this way, it may be possible to manufacture the at least one guide connection in a more precise way, because no elastic means needs to be included.

[0015] In a structurally particularly advantageous embodiment, the first guide connection part includes an at least partly U-formed wall part, the second guide connection part is formed as an opening in a wall of the end bracket of the motor tube, and the at least partly U-formed wall part is adapted to fit into and abut a first side of the opening in the wall of the end bracket.

[0016] In an embodiment, a first snap connection part is arranged at the partly U-formed wall part, and the first snap connection part is adapted to elastically snap over an edge of a second side of the opening in the wall of the end bracket. Thereby, the partly U-formed wall part may protect the first snap connection part so that it may be avoided that the first snap connection part is inadvertently disconnected from the second snap connection part.

[0017] In an embodiment, one of the at least one snap connections is arranged at an angular position of between 90 and 270 degrees, preferably between 135 and 225 degrees, more preferred between 170 and 190 degrees, and most preferred approximately 180 degrees about the roller axis in relation to another one of the at least one snap connections or in relation to one of the at least one guide connections. Thereby a good stability of the connection between the tubular motor unit and the first side bracket may be achieved.

[0018] In an embodiment, one of the at least one snap connections is arranged at an angular position being different from approximately 180 degrees about the roller axis in relation to another one of the at least one snap connections or in relation to one of the at least one guide connections. Thereby, it may be ensured that the tubular motor unit can only be mounted at one certain angular position about the roller axis in relation to the first side bracket.

[0019] In an embodiment, the at least one snap connection and possibly at least one guide connection is / are arranged in such a way that the motor tube can only be mounted at one certain angular position about the roller axis in relation to the first side bracket. Thereby, correct rotational orientation of the tubular motor unit may be ensured.

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the very schematic drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an external screening device for a roof window, according to the present invention, whereby a flexible cover of the screening device is fully extended from a top casing, and whereby a side cover has been removed; Fig. 2 is a detail of Fig. 1 on a larger scale; Fig. 3 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 2, whereby external covering and a tubular motor unit of the external screening device has been removed for illustrative purposes; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the tubular motor unit and a first side bracket of the external screening device of Fig. 1, before insertion of the tubular motor unit through the first side bracket into a hollow roller shaft; Fig. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 4, whereby the tubular motor unit has been inserted partly into the hollow roller shaft; Fig. 6 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 4, just before the tubular motor unit has been fully inserted into the hollow roller shaft and before snap connection of the tubular motor unit with the first side bracket; Fig. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 4, after the tubular motor unit has been fully inserted into the hollow roller shaft and after snap connection of the tubular motor unit with the first side bracket; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of part of the detail of the external screening device illustrated in Fig. 3, however, in a disassembled state; Fig. 9 is an axial section through the tubular motor unit and the hollow roller shaft after snap connection as illustrated in Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is an axial section through the tubular motor unit and the hollow roller shaft just before snap connection as illustrated in Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is a detail of Fig. 4 on a larger scale, illustrating, arranged on the first side bracket, a first snap connection part and a first guide connection part; and Fig. 12 is an axial section corresponding to that of Fig. 10 of an alternative embodiment of the snap connection.

[0021] In the following, generally, similar elements of different embodiments have been designated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows an external screening device 1 for a roof window according to the present invention. The external screening device includes a top casing 3 having a first end 4 provided with a first side bracket 5 and a second end 6 provided with a second side bracket 7. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first and second side brackets 5, 7 each has an inner side 8 facing the top casing 3 and an outer side 9 facing away from the top casing. The top casing 3 includes a hollow roller shaft 10 arranged to rotate about a roller axis 25. The hollow roller shaft 10 has a first end 11 being journalled rotationally at the first side bracket 5 and a second end 12 being journalled rotationally at the second side bracket 7. In a well-known manner, an upper end of a flexible cover 13 is attached to the hollow roller shaft 10 for winding up the flexible cover between an extended and a rolled up position.

[0023] As illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7, the external screening device 1 includes a tubular motor unit 14 having a motor tube 15 in which a not shown electric drive unit is arranged in a manner known per se. The motor tube 15 is adapted to be inserted into the hollow roller shaft 10 through an opening in the first side bracket 5. Furthermore, the motor tube 15 has a first end 17 provided with an end bracket 18 partly extending radially from the motor tube 15 for fixation of the motor tube to the first side bracket 5, and the motor tube 15 has a second end 19 from which a not visible drive shaft of the tubular motor unit 14 extends. In the mounted position of the motor tube 15 illustrated in Fig. 7, the generally T-formed end bracket 18 abuts the outer side 9 of the first side bracket 5. The drive shaft is provided with a motor coupling 21 for driving connection with the inside of the hollow roller shaft 10.

[0024] As indicated in Figs. 7 and 9, a first snap connection 22 is provided between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. As indicated in Fig. 10, the first snap connection 22 includes a first snap connection part 23 arranged on the outer side 9 of the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and a second snap connection part 24 arranged on the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The first snap connection part 23 and the second snap connection part 24 are adapted to snap into engagement with each other upon insertion of the motor tube 15 through the first side bracket 5 and into the hollow roller shaft 10, as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7.

[0025] As understood, in the illustrated embodiments, the first snap connection part 23 and the second snap connection part 24 are adapted to snap into engagement with each other by a linear displacement of the motor tube 15 in the direction of the roller axis 25 into the hollow roller shaft 10. However, in a not shown alternative embodiment, the first snap connection part 23 and the second snap connection part 24 are adapted to snap into engagement with each other by a certain rotation of the motor tube 15 about the roller axis 25, after insertion of the motor tube 15 into the hollow roller shaft 10.

[0026] As understood, according to the present invention, the tubular motor unit 14 may be mounted in the external screening device 1 without the use of any tools, simply by pressing the tubular motor unit 14 into the hollow roller shaft 10 until the first snap connection part 23 and the second snap connection part snap 24 into engagement with each other. A completely screw free connection is achieved. Furthermore, of course, the tubular motor unit 14 may be released from the external screening device 1 without the use of any tools.

[0027] As seen particularly well in Fig. 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the first snap connection 22 is adapted to prevent axial displacement of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation to the first side bracket 5. Rotation of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation to the first side bracket 5 about the roller axis 25 may be prevented by other parts of the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15, such as a guide connection which will be further explained below.

[0028] As understood from Fig. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the first snap connection 22 is in itself adapted to allow at least a certain rotation of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation to the first side bracket 5 about the roller axis 25. However, as explained below, such rotation is prevented by means of a number of guide connections 29, 29', 29". Under certain circumstances, it may be advantageous that rotation of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation to the first side bracket 5 about the roller axis 25 is prevented by other parts of the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15 than the first snap connection 22.

[0029] As seen particularly well in Fig. 11, in the illustrated embodiment, the first snap connection part 23 includes an elastic arm 26 extending in a direction parallel to the roller axis 25, and the elastic arm 26 has a protrusion 27 adapted to snap into engagement with an edge part 28 of the second snap connection part 24 as further illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

[0030] As indicated in Figs. 2, 7 and 9, a second snap connection 22' is provided between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The second snap connection 22' is identical to the first snap connection 22, however, the first and second snap connections 22, 22' are arranged symmetrically about a plane including the roller axis 25.

[0031] Furthermore, as seen in Figs. 7 and 9 a first guide connection 29 is provided between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. As further illustrated in Fig. 10, the first guide connection 29 includes a first guide connection part 30 arranged on the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and a second guide connection part 31 arranged on the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The first guide connection part 30 is adapted to slide into guided engagement with the second guide connection part 31. Under certain circumstances, it may be advantageous that rotation of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation to the first side bracket 5 about the roller axis 25 is prevented by the first guide connection 29 instead of the first snap connection 22. If the first snap connection 22 includes an elastic part, a better accuracy in the rotational positioning of the tubular motor unit 14 may be achieved by means of the dedicated first guide connection 29.

[0032] As understood from Figs. 5 and 11, and as explained in further detail below, the first guide connection 29 is adapted to prevent rotation of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation the first side bracket 5 about the roller axis 25. As furthermore understood, the first guide connection 29 is adapted to allow axial displacement of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation to the first side bracket 5. In this way, it may be possible to manufacture the first guide connection 29 in a more precise way, because no elastic means needs to be included.

[0033] As seen in Fig. 11, in the illustrated embodiment, the first guide connection part 30 includes a partly U-formed wall part 32. As seen clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the second guide connection part 31 is formed as an opening 33 in a wall 34 of the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The partly U-formed wall part 32 is adapted to fit into and abut a first side 35 of the opening 33 in the wall 34 of the end bracket 18.

[0034] As further seen in Fig. 11, in the illustrated embodiment, a first snap connection part 23 is arranged at the partly U-formed wall part 32, and the first snap connection part 23 is adapted to elastically snap over an edge 36 of a second side 37 of the opening 33 in the wall 34 of the end bracket 18 as seen in Figs. 5, 9 and 10. Thereby, the partly U-formed wall part 32 may protect the first snap connection part 23 so that it may be avoided that the first snap connection part 23 is inadvertently disconnected from the second snap connection part 24.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 33 is of a generally partly rectangular shape, although the first side 35 of the opening 33 and the second side 37 of the opening 33 each include a rounded part preferably matching approximately part of a circle having the roller axis 25 as its central axis.

[0036] As indicated in Figs. 2, 7 and 9, a second guide connection 29' is provided between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The second guide connection 29' is identical to the first guide connection 29, however, the first and second guide connections 29, 29' are arranged symmetrically about a plane including the roller axis 25.

[0037] A first snap connection part 23 of the second snap connection 22' is arranged at the partly U-formed wall part 32 of the second guide connection 29', and the first snap connection part 23 is adapted to elastically snap over an edge 36 of a second side 37 of the opening 33 in the wall 34 of the end bracket 18 as seen in Figs. 5, 9 and 10.

[0038] As indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, a third guide connection 29" is provided between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The third guide connection 29" has a different form than the first and second guide connections 29, 29', however, the function of the third guide connection 29" is identical to that of the first and second guide connections 29, 29'. As seen, the third guide connection 29" includes a first guide connection part 30 arranged on the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and a second guide connection part 31 arranged on the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The first guide connection part 30 of the third guide connection 29" includes a cross-formed tap 44 extending from the outer side 9 of side bracket 5. The second guide connection part 31 of the third guide connection 29" has the form of a generally square-formed opening 45 in the wall 34 of the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15. The first guide connection part 30 is adapted to slide into guided engagement with the second guide connection part 31.

[0039] As mentioned above, the first guide connection part 30 of the third guide connection 29" includes a cross-formed tap 44 extending from the outer side 9 of side bracket 5. As seen in Fig. 8, the cross-formed tap 44 extends from an upper bracket part 46 of the side bracket 5. Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, the third guide connection 29" includes a V-formed tap 48 extending from a lower bracket part 47 of the side bracket 5. The upper and lower bracket parts 46, 47 are adapted for snap connection in order to form the first side bracket 5.

[0040] In order to assemble the first side bracket 5, a winding reel 41 is arranged between the upper and lower bracket parts 46, 47, a first end of a cord 42 is fixed to the winding reel, and roller bracket holding a guide roller 43 is snapped into position in the upper bracket part 46. The cord 42 is arranged so that it runs over the guide roller 43. Subsequently, an engagement pin 49 of the lower bracket part 47 is connected to an engagement hole 50 of the upper bracket part 46 so that a pivot connection is formed about which the lower bracket part 47 is pivoted in relation to the upper bracket part 46 until an engagement flap 51 of the lower bracket part 47 engages an engagement cut-out 52 of the upper bracket part 46 and forms a snap fit connection between the upper and lower bracket parts 46, 47.

[0041] As understood, when the upper and lower bracket parts 46, 47 have been connected, the cross-formed tap 44 engages in the V-form of the V-formed tap 48, and the cross-formed tap 44 and the V-formed tap 48 thereby together form the first guide connection part 30 of the third guide connection 29". When the first guide connection part 30 and the second guide connection part 31 of the third guide connection 29" have been connected, the generally square-formed opening 45 so to say locks the V-formed tap 48 and the cross-formed tap 44 together.

[0042] In a not shown embodiment, the first side bracket 5 is made as a single unit.

[0043] As understood, in the illustrated embodiment, the first snap connection 22 is arranged at an angular position of approximately 180 degrees about the roller axis 25 in relation to the second snap connection 22' and in relation to the second guide connection 29'. Likewise, the second snap connection 22' is arranged at an angular position of approximately 180 degrees about the roller axis 25 in relation to the first guide connection 29. Thereby a good stability of the connection between the tubular motor unit 14 and the first side bracket 5 may be achieved.

[0044] As further understood, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second snap connections 22, 22' are both arranged at an angular position of approximately 90 degrees about the roller axis 25 in relation to the third guide connection 29". Thereby, it may be ensured that the tubular motor unit 14 can only be mounted at one certain angular position about the roller axis 25 in relation to the first side bracket 5. In alternative not shown embodiments, the same may be achieved by arranging for instance the first snap connection 22 at an angular position being different from approximately 180 degrees about the roller axis 25 in relation to the second snap connection 22' or in relation to the third guide connection 29". Clearly, many variations are possible.

[0045] Generally, it may be preferred that at least a first and a second snap connection 22, 22' at different angular positions about the roller axis 25 are applied. Thereby, better stability of the tubular motor unit 14 in relation to the first side bracket 5 may be achieved. Optionally, a peripheral sealing ring may be arranged between the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15 and the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 in order to prevent water or humidity from entering the hollow roller shaft 10.

[0046] Fig. 12 illustrates an axial section through an alternative embodiment of the external screening device 1 according to the present invention. According to this embodiment, the first snap connection 22 between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15 is provided by means of a pivotal arm 16 having a first end being arranged pivotally on the first side bracket 5 at a lower side of the end bracket 18 in the mounted position of the motor tube 15 in the hollow roller shaft 10 and having a second end being provided with a snap part 20 adapted to snap into engagement with a snap connection part 38 arranged on the first side bracket 5 at an upper side of the end bracket 18 in the mounted position of the motor tube 15 in the hollow roller shaft. Thereby, when the pivotal arm 16 is snapped into the engaged position of the snap part 20 and the snap connection part 38, the pivotal arm 16 may abut an outer side of the end bracket 18 of motor tube 15 and thereby maintain the tubular motor unit 14 in its mounted position. In order to maintain the tubular motor unit 14 in its correct angular position, a guide connection 29 of the type described above may additionally be employed in this embodiment.

[0047] Generally, according to the present invention, the at least one snap connection 22, 22' provided between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15 may have any suitable configuration allowing a snap connection between the first side bracket 5 and the end bracket 18. The snap connection may for instance be performed simply by displacing the motor tube 15 along the roller axis 25 and / or rotating the motor tube 15 about the roller axis 25 in relation to the top casing 3.

[0048] Generally, according to the present invention, the at least one snap connection 22, 22' provided between the first side bracket 5 of the top casing 3 and the end bracket 18 of the motor tube 15 may in itself form a guide connection 29, 29', 29", or if needed, a separate guide connection 29, 29', 29" may be provided. If a guide connection 29, 29', 29" is provided, it may have any suitable configuration which may guide the position and / or angular alignment of the first side bracket 5 in relation to the end bracket 18. In a simple form, a guide connection may have the form of a first guide connection part in the form of a guide pin extending in the direction of the roller axis 25 an a corresponding second guide connection part in the form of a guide hole extending in the direction of the roller axis 25 in which guide hole the guide pin fits. However, as illustrated, a guide connection may have different forms.List of reference numbers

[0049] 1external screening device 2side cover for top casing 3top casing 4first end of top casing 5first side bracket 6second end of top casing 7second side bracket 8inner side of side bracket 9outer side of side bracket 10hollow roller shaft 11first end of hollow roller shaft 12second end of hollow roller shaft 13flexible cover 14tubular motor unit 15motor tube 16pivotal arm 17first end of motor tube 18end bracket of motor tube 19second end of motor tube 20snap part of pivotal arm 21motor coupling 22first snap connection 22'second snap connection 23first snap connection part 24second snap connection part 25roller axis 26elastic arm 27protrusion of elastic arm 28edge part of snap connection part 29first guide connection 29'second guide connection 29"third guide connection 30first guide connection part 31second guide connection part 32at least partly U-formed wall part 33opening in wall 34wall 35first side of opening 36edge of second side of opening 37second side of opening 38snap connection part for pivotal arm 39first part of side bracket 40second part of side bracket 41winding reel 42cord 43guide roller for cord 44cross-formed tap 45generally square-formed opening 46upper bracket part of side bracket 47lower bracket part of side bracket 48V-formed tap 49engagement pin 50engagement hole 51engagement flap

Claims

1. An external screening device (1) for a roof window, the external screening device including a top casing (3) having a first end (4) provided with a first side bracket (5) and a second end (6) provided with a second side bracket (7), the first and second side brackets (5, 7) each having an inner side (8) facing the top casing and an outer side (9) facing away from the top casing, the top casing (3) including a hollow roller shaft (10) arranged to rotate about a roller axis (25), the hollow roller shaft (10) having a first end (11) being journalled rotationally at the first side bracket (5) and a second end (12) being journalled rotationally at the second side bracket (7), an upper end of a flexible cover (13) being attached to the hollow roller shaft (10) for winding up the flexible cover between an extended and a rolled up position, the external screening device (1) including a tubular motor unit (14) having a motor tube (15) in which an electric drive unit is arranged and which is adapted to be inserted into the hollow roller shaft (10) through the first side bracket (5), the motor tube (15) having a first end (17) provided with an end bracket (18) at least partly extending radially from the motor tube (15) for fixation of the motor tube to the first side bracket (5) and a second end (19) from which a drive shaft of the tubular motor unit (14) extends, and the drive shaft being provided with a motor coupling (21) for driving connection with the inside of the hollow roller shaft (10), characterised in that at least one snap connection (22, 22') is provided between the first side bracket (5) of the top casing (3) and the end bracket (18) of the motor tube (15).

2. An external screening device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one snap connection (22, 22') includes a first snap connection part (23) arranged on the outer side (9) of the first side bracket (5) of the top casing (3) and a second snap connection part (24) arranged on the end bracket (18) of the motor tube (15), and wherein the first snap connection part (23) and the second snap connection part (24) are adapted to snap into engagement with each other.

3. An external screening device according to claim 2, wherein the first snap connection part (23) and the second snap connection part (24) are adapted to snap into engagement with each other by displacement of the motor tube (15) in the direction of the roller axis (25) into the hollow roller shaft (10).

4. An external screening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one snap connection (22, 22') is adapted to prevent at least axial displacement of the tubular motor unit (14) in relation to the first side bracket (5).

5. An external screening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one snap connection (22, 22') is adapted to allow at least a certain rotation of the tubular motor unit (14) in relation to the first side bracket (5) about the roller axis (25).

6. An external screening device according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the first or the second snap connection part (23, 24) includes an elastic arm (26) extending in a direction parallel to the roller axis (25), and wherein the elastic arm (26) has a protrusion (27) adapted to snap into engagement with an edge part (28) of the other one of the first or the second snap connection part (23, 24).

7. An external screening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one guide connection (29, 29', 29") is provided between the first side bracket (5) of the top casing (3) and the end bracket (18) of the motor tube (15), wherein the at least one guide connection (29, 29', 29") includes a first guide connection part (30) arranged on the first side bracket (5) of the top casing (3) and a second guide connection part (31) arranged on the end bracket (18) of the motor tube (15), and wherein the first guide connection part (30) is adapted to slide into guided engagement with the second guide connection part (31).

8. An external screening device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one guide connection (29, 29', 29") is adapted to prevent at least rotation of the tubular motor unit (14) in relation the first side bracket (5) about the roller axis (25).

9. An external screening device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one guide connection (29, 29', 29") is adapted to allow axial displacement of the tubular motor unit (14) in relation to the first side bracket (5).

10. An external screening device according to any one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the first guide connection part (30) includes an at least partly U-formed wall part (32), wherein the second guide connection part (31) is formed as an opening (33) in a wall (34) of the end bracket (18) of the motor tube (15), and wherein the at least partly U-formed wall part (32) is adapted to fit into and abut a first side (35) of the opening (33) in the wall (34) of the end bracket (18).

11. An external screening device according to claim 10, wherein a first snap connection part (23) is arranged at the partly U-formed wall part (32), and wherein the first snap connection part (23) is adapted to elastically snap over an edge (36) of a second side (37) of the opening (33) in the wall (34) of the end bracket (18).

12. An external screening device according to any one of the claims 7 to 11, wherein one of the at least one snap connections (22) is arranged at an angular position of between 90 and 270 degrees, preferably between 135 and 225 degrees, more preferred between 170 and 190 degrees, and most preferred approximately 180 degrees about the roller axis (25) in relation to another one of the at least one snap connections (22) or in relation to one of the at least one guide connections (29).

13. An external screening device according to any one of the claims 7 to 12, wherein one of the at least one snap connections (22) is arranged at an angular position being different from approximately 180 degrees about the roller axis (25) in relation to another one of the at least one snap connections (22) or in relation to one of the at least one guide connections (29).

14. An external screening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one snap connection (22, 22') and possibly at least one guide connection (29, 29', 29") according to any one of the claims 7 to 13 is / are arranged in such a way that the motor tube (15) can only be mounted at one certain angular position about the roller axis (25) in relation to the first side bracket (5).

Images