Drive unit for sun protection and privacy protection systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive unit for sun protection and privacy screening systems, comprising a drive motor (30) which can be actuated by means of a switch (10) for switching off and for operating the drive motor (30) in a first direction of rotation and a second opposite direction of rotation, wherein a control unit (20) is connected upstream of the drive motor (30), wherein the control unit (20) has a module for receiving and processing radio signals (40), wherein the control unit (20) has a plurality of inputs which can be connected to the switch (10), and wherein switching off and controlling the drive motor (30) in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation takes place by means of the control unit (20) as a function of an actuation of the switch (10) and / or as a function of received radio commands (40).Furthermore, the invention relates to a sun protection or privacy protection system with such a drive unit, wherein the control unit is designed to receive and process radio signals (40) according to one or more radio protocols, in particular radio signals according to one or more standardized radio protocols.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drive unit for sun protection and privacy protection systems with a drive motor which can be actuated by means of a switch for switching off and for actuating the drive motor in a first direction of rotation and a second opposite direction of rotation.

[0002] Such drive units are known. The drive motor is controlled by a switch, which can be used to turn it off and operate it in both directions of rotation, commonly referred to as "up" and "down."

[0003] The disadvantage of these drive units is their lack of flexibility. Often, it is desired to operate the drive motor via radio remote control, which is impossible with the existing drive units.

[0004] The object of the invention is to further develop such drive units so that the drive motor can be operated via a radio remote control.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a drive unit according to claim 1 and a sun protection or privacy protection system according to claim 13. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0006] Particularly advantageous in the drive unit for sun protection and privacy protection systems with a drive motor that can be actuated by means of a switch for switching off and for operating the drive motor in a first direction of rotation and a second opposite direction of rotation, is that the drive unit has a control unit, wherein the control unit has a module for receiving and processing radio signals and wherein the control unit has several inputs that can be connected to the switch, wherein switching off and controlling the drive motor in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation takes place by means of the control unit depending on an actuation of the switch and / or depending on received radio commands, wherein the control unit is designed to receive and process radio signals according to one or more radio protocols,in particular radio signals according to one or more standardized radio protocols.

[0007] In particular, the control unit can be connected upstream of the drive motor, in particular between a switch and the drive motor. To operate the drive motor, outputs of the control unit can be connected to inputs of the drive motor and / or the control unit can form an integral part of the drive motor.

[0008] By connecting a control unit upstream of the drive motor, it is thus possible, in particular, to interpose a control unit between the switch and the drive motor, thereby creating the possibility of actuating the drive motor by means of the switch and / or controlling it by means of the control unit in dependence on received radio signals, i.e. switching it off or operating it in one of the two directions of rotation of the drive motor.

[0009] By integrating a module for receiving and processing radio signals, the control unit can be addressed via radio and thus the drive motor can be operated using a radio remote control.

[0010] The control unit has a plurality of inputs which can be connected to the switch, and wherein the drive motor is switched off and controlled in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation by means of the control unit depending on an actuation of the switch and / or depending on received radio commands.

[0011] In an installation of this embodiment, the control unit has a plurality of inputs which are connected to the switch, and wherein a switching off and a control of the drive motor in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation takes place by means of the control unit in dependence on an actuation of the switch and / or in dependence on received radio commands.

[0012] If multiple control unit inputs are connected to the switch, it is possible to forward the commands from the switch directly to the drive motor. Alternatively, or in addition to directly forwarding the switch commands to the drive motor, the control unit can control the drive motor based on received radio signals.

[0013] This means that both switch commands and radio commands are processed using the control unit.

[0014] Since the control unit has several inputs that can be connected to the switch, the control unit is suitable for retrofitting to existing sun protection and privacy protection systems that are operated by means of a switch, thus enabling remote control of the sun protection and privacy protection systems.

[0015] The control unit includes a module for receiving and processing radio signals according to one or more standardized communication protocols. This allows the drive unit to be integrated into a network, particularly a so-called smart home network, via which a multitude of devices in a building can be centrally controlled and operated.

[0016] The control unit has a module for receiving and processing radio signals according to one or more standardized communication protocols. In particular, the standardized communication protocol can be Matter, Thread, KNX-RF, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, or a combination of several communication protocols.

[0017] Such standardized communication protocols make it possible to operate a wide variety of household systems and devices using standardized protocols, for example, via a mobile device and a corresponding application on that mobile device. Furthermore, a wide variety of household systems and devices can be connected to one another in a network and communicate with one another. Preferably, a plurality of devices are networked together. Each device acts as both a receiver and a transmitter of corresponding control commands, which are received and sent via a central network, such as a local wireless network such as Wi-Fi. All devices are networked together using a standardized communication protocol such as Matter.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, a power supply of the control unit is created by closing a contact of the switch, and wherein a shutdown and a control of the drive motor in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation takes place by means of the control unit in dependence on an actuation of the switch and / or in dependence on received radio commands.

[0019] In an installation of this embodiment, the control unit has a plurality of inputs which are connected to the switch and wherein a power supply of the control unit can be created by closing a contact of the switch and wherein a shutdown and a control of the drive motor in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation takes place by means of the control unit in dependence on an actuation of the switch and / or in dependence on received radio commands.

[0020] If one contact or both contacts on the switch are permanently closed, the control unit is supplied with power via the closed switch and the control unit can then receive and process radio commands and control the drive motor accordingly, regardless of the position of the switch.

[0021] In this state, the control unit can control both directions of rotation of the drive motor via radio. Even if the "up" direction of rotation is permanently energized, as is the case with a switch, a "down" direction of rotation is possible via radio command. Conversely, the drive motor can be controlled in the "up" direction of rotation if the "down" direction of rotation is permanently energized at the switch.

[0022] Alternatively or cumulatively, a power supply of the control unit can be created in that the control unit can be connected to at least one phase of a power supply of a building, wherein a shutdown and a control of the drive motor in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation by means of the control unit takes place as a function of an actuation of the switch and / or as a function of an actuation of the switch and / or as a function of received radio commands.

[0023] In an installation of this embodiment, the control unit has a plurality of inputs which are connected to the switch, and wherein a power supply of the control unit is created in that the control unit is connectable to at least one phase of the power supply of a building, wherein a shutdown and a control of the drive motor in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation by means of the control unit takes place as a function of an actuation of the switch and / or as a function of received radio commands.

[0024] This means that the power supply to the control unit can be established both by connecting to a phase and via a signal input by operating the switch.

[0025] Preferably, the drive motor is controlled in the first direction of rotation (up) and the second opposite direction of rotation (down) by means of the control unit depending on the last received command by actuating the switch or depending on received radio commands.

[0026] The control unit has several inputs, a power supply input, and several signal inputs. Thanks to the logic, the control unit can be powered not only via the power supply input, but also via the signal inputs. The logic separates the signal and power supply, allowing a controller to analyze the input signals and then connect the motor directly to the power supply via the output. Preferably, the most recently received command is passed on to the motor, meaning the motor is controlled accordingly via the control unit, regardless of whether the switch was last operated by a user or a command was last received via radio.

[0027] If the control unit is connected directly to a power supply phase and simultaneously operated via a switch, the switch inputs function as a local control unit. The control unit can simultaneously receive and process commands via radio. In particular, it is possible to use the control unit to determine the priority of whether radio commands override operation via the switch, or conversely, whether operation via the switch overrides any radio commands.

[0028] This means that a prioritization between an actuation of the switch and received radio signals can be selected and set by means of the control unit.

[0029] The drive motor is preferably a tubular motor or a block motor. Because the invention can be used with various drive motors, such as tubular motors or block motors, a universal application of the invention is also possible for a wide variety of sun protection and privacy screening systems.

[0030] The control unit can be formed by an additional module or form an integral part of the drive motor.

[0031] In particular, the control unit can be flanged directly or indirectly to the drive motor.

[0032] Preferably, the control unit is configured to control, in addition to the drive motor, further consumers by cable and / or radio, in particular lighting devices and / or heating devices and / or one or more further drive motors.

[0033] In this particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit is designed to control additional consumers in addition to the drive motor. The control of additional consumers can be done via cable and / or radio, for example the drive motor of a valance shaft of an articulated arm awning can be controlled via radio. If the drive motor of the valance shaft of the articulated arm awning is powered by a rechargeable battery, there is no need to lay a cable to the drive motor of the valance shaft. Alternatively or cumulatively, drive motors of additional sun protection or privacy screening systems can also be operated using the control unit, i.e. for example the drive motors of a plurality of roller shutters or blinds can be controlled simultaneously or individually using the control unit.

[0034] Preferably, the control unit is configured to supply power to additional loads in addition to the drive motor, in particular lighting devices and / or heating devices and / or one or more additional drive motors. For this purpose, the control unit can be connected to additional loads, and these loads can be supplied with power directly.

[0035] Preferably, the control unit is configured to supply current to one or more sensors in addition to the drive motor and / or the control unit is configured to receive and evaluate the data of one or more sensors and / or to transmit them by cable and / or radio.

[0036] The control unit can therefore be used, in particular, to supply power to one or more sensors, such as light intensity sensors, wind speed sensors, and / or rain sensors, in addition to the drive motor. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can also be configured to receive and evaluate the sensor data from one or more sensors and, depending on this sensor data, to control the drive motor of the sun protection or privacy screen system and / or other consumers.

[0037] Alternatively or cumulatively, the control unit can forward the received sensor data via cable and / or radio, for example, to one or more additional sun protection or privacy screening systems. In this case, the control unit also acts as a signal repeater.

[0038] In particular, the communication between the control unit and one or more sensors can be bidirectional, i.e. the control unit can be configured to both receive sensor data and transmit data to one or more sensors.

[0039] Preferably, the control unit is configured to communicate with one or more control units of other drive units of sun protection and privacy screening systems using one or more standardized radio protocols. In particular, the standardized communication protocol can be Matter, Thread, KNX-RF, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, or a combination of several communication protocols. This development creates the possibility of establishing a network of connected control units with a central controller and operating a plurality of sun protection and privacy screening systems using a single terminal device, such as a mobile radio terminal with the appropriate communication software for generating and transmitting radio commands to the control unit.

[0040] For this purpose, the control unit can have a transmitter module for generating and transmitting radio signals, in particular according to standardized communication protocols such as Matter or Thread or KNX-RF or Z-Wave or WLAN or a combination of several such communication protocols

[0041] Preferably, the control unit is configured to communicate with a mobile radio terminal and / or a central base station according to one or more standardized radio protocols.

[0042] It is particularly advantageous for a sun protection or privacy screen system that it has such a drive unit as described above.

[0043] Preferably, the drive unit forms an integral part of the sun protection or privacy protection system, i.e. at least the control unit and the drive motor are integrated into the sun protection or privacy protection system.

[0044] Preferably, the sun protection or privacy screen system is a Venetian blind, a roller shutter, a slatted blind, or an awning, in particular an articulated arm awning, a vertical shading system, a conservatory awning with an extension profile guided on guide rails, a folding awning, or a louvre roof with rotatable or rotatable and movable slats. Because the invention can be used with various drive motors, such as tubular motors or block motors, a universal application of the invention is also possible for a wide variety of sun protection and privacy screen systems.

[0045] Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and explained below. They show: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment in which the outputs of the switch are connected to the inputs of the control unit; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment in which the power supply of the control unit is realized by closing one or more contacts on the switch; Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment in which the control unit is connected to a phase of a power supply network.

[0046] The figures illustrate several embodiments of the invention. Identical components are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment in which the outputs of switch 10 are connected to the inputs of the control unit 20 of the drive unit. The drive unit of a sun protection or privacy screen system has a motor 30 that can be actuated in a first direction of rotation (A) and a second opposite direction of rotation (B) by energizing the "Up" and "Down" motor connections.

[0048] For this purpose, a switch 10 is provided, which is connected to a phase L of a power supply network and whose switch positions enable separation, resulting in shutdown. Furthermore, two output lines of the switch 10 can be closed separately by means of the switch 10, which are connected to inputs of the control unit 20 via a plug connection 15. These lines A, B "Up" and "Down" are forwarded by the control unit via a second plug connection 25 to the inputs of the drive motor 30 and, when energized, cause the drive motor to operate in a first direction of rotation "Up" or in a second opposite direction of rotation "Down".

[0049] Furthermore, the switch is connected to a neutral conductor N and a grounding conductor PE. The neutral conductor N and the grounding conductor PE are also connected to inputs of the control unit 20 via the first connector 15 and then to the drive motor 30 via the second connector 25.

[0050] In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is interposed between the switch 10 and the drive motor 30 and is connected and configured to the switch 10 and the drive motor 30 in such a way that manual actuation of the drive motor 30 is possible using the switch 10 without the user noticing that a control is present. The commands from the switch 10 are forwarded directly to the drive motor 30.

[0051] The control unit 20 has a module for receiving and processing radio signals. However, in this exemplary embodiment, the control unit 20 serves only to transmit the commands from the switch 10 to the drive motor 30.

[0052] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment in which the power supply of the control unit 20 is realized by closing one or more contacts on the switch 10.

[0053] The outputs of switch 10 are connected to the inputs of the control unit 20 of the drive unit. The drive unit of a sun protection or privacy screen system has a motor 30 that can be actuated by applying current to the motor terminals A, B in a first direction of rotation (up) and a second opposite direction of rotation (down).

[0054] Again, a switch 10 is provided, which is connected to a phase L of a power supply network. Its switch positions allow for disconnection, resulting in the shutdown of the entire drive unit. Furthermore, two output lines of the switch 10 can be closed separately using the switch 10. These output lines are connected to inputs of the control unit 20 via a plug connection 15.

[0055] Furthermore, the switch is connected to a neutral conductor N and a grounding conductor PE. The neutral conductor N and the grounding conductor PE are connected to the inputs of the control unit 20 via the first connector 15 and then to the drive motor 30 via the second connector 25.

[0056] By closing the contact of one or both of the two lines A for the "up" direction of rotation or B for the "down" direction of rotation on switch 10, one of the inputs of control unit 20 is permanently energized. If one or both contacts on switch 10 are permanently closed, a power supply is provided to control unit 20, and the control unit 20 can receive and process radio commands 40 via an air interface.

[0057] For this purpose, the control unit 20 has a module for receiving and processing radio signals, whereby the drive motor is switched off and controlled in the first direction of rotation "up" or the second opposite direction of rotation "down" by the control unit. For this purpose, the inputs A and B of the drive motor 30 are energized accordingly via the connector 25 by the control unit 20 depending on the received radio signals 40.

[0058] Radio signals 40 are preferably received and processed according to standardized radio protocols.

[0059] In this embodiment, the power supply to the control unit 20 is effected by closing one or both outputs on the switch 10. In this state, the control unit 20 can control both directions of travel "Up" and "Down" from the motor via radio, even if, as in Fig. 2 If input A for the direction of rotation "Up" is permanently energized, a movement in the "Down" direction is possible via the radio command and vice versa.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment in which the control unit 20 is connected to a phase L of a power supply network. In this embodiment, the phase L of a power supply network is applied both to the switch 10 and, via the first plug connection 15, to an input of the control unit 20.

[0061] Furthermore, the switch is connected to a neutral conductor N and a grounding conductor PE. The neutral conductor N and the grounding conductor PE are connected to the inputs of the control unit 20 via the first connector 15 and then to the drive motor 30 via the second connector 25.

[0062] The control unit 20 has a module for receiving and processing radio signals. Radio signals 40 are received and processed according to standardized radio protocols.

[0063] The control unit switches off and controls the drive motor in the first direction of rotation "up" or the second opposite direction of rotation "down." For this purpose, the control unit 20 supplies the inputs A for "up" and B for "down" of the drive motor 30 via connector 25, depending on the received radio signals 40.

[0064] If the control unit 20 is used as in the embodiment according to Fig. 3If the device is connected directly to a phase L of a power supply network and simultaneously operated via switch 10, switch 10 functions as a manual local control. The control unit 20 can simultaneously receive commands via radio. The priority can be set in the control unit 20 as to whether radio commands 40 override operation of switch 10 or vice versa, or whether the last command is executed.

[0065] It is particularly advantageous that existing sun protection or privacy screen systems, whose drive motor is operated by a switch, can be retrofitted with such a control unit, enabling operation of the sun protection or privacy screen system using a radio remote control. A power supply to the control unit 20 can be established particularly easily by directly connecting the control unit 20 to phase L of a power supply or by connecting an output of the switch 10 to the input of the control unit 20 and closing the switch 10. Thus, no special installation effort is required to retrofit existing sun protection or privacy screen systems.

[0066] By communicating according to a standardized radio protocol, the drive unit can be integrated into a network of several sun protection or privacy protection systems and several sun protection or privacy protection systems can be operated centrally using a terminal device and / or via a central control system of the building.

Claims

1. Drive unit for sun protection and privacy protection systems with a drive motor (30) which can be actuated by means of a switch (10) for switching off and for actuating the drive motor (30) in a first direction of rotation and a second opposite direction of rotation, characterized in thatthe drive unit has a control unit (20), wherein the control unit (20) has a module for receiving and processing radio signals (40) and wherein the control unit (20) has a plurality of inputs that can be connected to the switch (10), wherein a shutdown and a control of the drive motor (30) in the first direction of rotation and the second opposite direction of rotation takes place by means of the control unit (20) depending on an actuation of the switch (10) and / or depending on received radio commands (40), wherein the control unit is designed to receive and process radio signals (40) according to one or more radio protocols, in particular radio signals (40) according to one or more standardized radio protocols.

2. Drive unit according to claim 1, characterized in thata power supply of the control unit (20) can be created by closing a contact of the switch (10) and wherein a shutdown and a control of the drive motor in the first direction of rotation (up) and the second opposite direction of rotation (down) takes place by means of the control unit (20) depending on an actuation of the switch (10) and / or depending on received radio commands (40).

3. Drive unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a power supply of the control unit (20) is created in that the control unit (20) is connectable to at least one phase (L) of a power supply of a building, wherein a shutdown and a control of the drive motor in the first direction of rotation (up) and the second opposite direction of rotation (down) by means of the control unit (20) takes place depending on an actuation of the switch (10) and / or depending on received radio commands (40).

4. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive motor is controlled in the first direction of rotation (up) and the second opposite direction of rotation (down) by means of the control unit (20) depending on the last received command by actuating the switch (10) or depending on received radio commands (40).

5. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a prioritization between an actuation of the switch (10) and received radio signals (40) can be selected and determined by means of the control unit (20).

6. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive motor (30) is a tubular motor or a block motor.

7. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20) is formed by an additional module or forms an integral part of the drive motor (30).

8. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20) is designed to control, in addition to the drive motor (30), further consumers by cable and / or radio, in particular lighting devices and / or heating devices and / or one or more further drive motors.

9. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20) is designed to supply current to further consumers in addition to the drive motor (30), in particular lighting devices and / or heating devices and / or one or more further drive motors.

10. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe control unit (20) is configured to supply current to one or more sensors in addition to the drive motor (30) and / or the control unit (20) is configured to receive and evaluate the data of one or more sensors and / or to transmit them by cable and / or radio.

11. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20) is designed to communicate with one or more control units of further drive units of sun protection and privacy protection systems according to one or more standardized radio protocols.

12. Drive unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20) is configured to communicate with a mobile radio terminal and / or a central base station according to one or more standardized radio protocols.

13. Sun protection or privacy screen, characterized in thatit has a drive unit according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Sun protection or privacy screen system according to claim 13, characterized in that the drive unit forms an integral part of the sun protection or privacy screen system.

15. Sun protection or privacy screen according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the sun protection or privacy protection system is a blind or a roller shutter or a slatted blind or an awning, in particular an articulated arm awning or a vertical shading system or a conservatory awning with an extension profile guided on guide rails or a folding awning, or a slatted roof with rotating or rotating and movable slats.

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