Charging system for electrically operated shading device and electrically operated shading device

Abstract

To provide a new electrically operated shading device having a built-in rechargeable storage battery, and a new charging system for charging the rechargeable storage battery built into the electrically operated shading device.SOLUTION: A charging system 1 includes an electrically operated shading device 10 having a head box 11 that houses a rechargeable storage battery 22 from which power is supplied to a drive unit 20 for operating slats 16, and a charging cable 50 for electrically connecting the rechargeable storage battery 22 and an external power source EPS1. The head box 11 has a charging terminal unit 31 that allows the rechargeable storage battery 22 and the charging cable 50 to be electrically connected. The charging cable 50 has a cable side terminal unit 52 that is detachably connected to the charging terminal unit 31. The charging system 1 may include a cable holding member 60 having a holding unit 62 for holding the charging cable 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging system for an electric shading device and an electric shading device.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional electric shading device, a power supply component such as an AC adapter arranged in a head portion for suspending and supporting a shading material is powered from an external power source such as an outlet via a power supply cable. In this electric shading device, since a power supply cable always hangs down from the electric shading device, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of design. Therefore, an electric shading device having a rechargeable battery built therein has been studied (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the field of such electric shading devices, development of a new electric shading device having a rechargeable battery built therein and a new charging system for charging the rechargeable battery built in the electric shading device is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A charging system for an electric shading device for solving the above problems includes an electric shading device having a head portion that houses a rechargeable battery for supplying power to a drive unit that operates a shading material, and a charging cable for electrically connecting the rechargeable battery and an external power source. The head portion includes a charging terminal portion that enables electrical connection between the rechargeable battery and the charging cable, and the charging cable includes a cable-side terminal portion that is detachably connected to the charging terminal portion. According to the above configuration, by connecting the cable-side terminal portion of the charging cable to the charging terminal portion of the head portion, the rechargeable battery housed in the head portion can be charged.

[0006] In the charging system of the above electric shading device, the charging terminal portion and the cable-side terminal portion may be configured to attract each other by magnetic force. According to the above configuration, the charging terminal portion and the cable-side terminal portion can be easily connected by magnetic force.

[0007] In the charging system of the above electric shading device, a cable holding member having a holding portion for holding the charging cable and a gripping portion for a user to grip is provided. The charging cable includes a held portion held by the holding portion, and the held portion may be configured to be located at the base of the cable-side terminal portion. According to the above configuration, by holding the base portion of the charging terminal portion in the charging cable with the cable holding member, the charging cable can be easily connected to the charging terminal portion of the head portion even when the head portion is disposed at a high place.

[0008] In the charging system of the electric shielding device, the cable holding member includes a rod portion including the gripping portion, the holding portion protrudes from the rod portion, and the width of the portion of the rod portion where the holding portion protrudes is larger than the width of the holding portion. The holding portion may be configured to rotatably hold the held portion. According to the above configuration, when the cable holding member is rotated about the held portion with the held portion of the charging cable connected to the charging terminal portion held by the holding portion, the portion of the rod portion where the holding portion protrudes abuts against the head portion. At this time, the portion of the rod portion that abuts against the head portion serves as a fulcrum, and the magnetic attraction holding between the charging terminal portion and the cable-side terminal portion can be released by the force acting on the held portion.

[0009] The electric shielding device for solving the above problems includes a head portion that suspends and supports a shielding material, and a rechargeable battery that supplies power to a drive portion that operates the shielding material. The head portion includes a housing portion that houses the drive portion and the rechargeable battery, and a cap portion that is attached to an end portion of the housing portion. The cap portion includes a charging terminal portion for detachably connecting a charging device for charging the rechargeable battery. According to the above configuration, by providing the charging terminal portion in the cap portion located at the end of the head portion, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the designability due to providing the charging terminal portion in the head portion as compared with the configuration of providing the charging terminal portion in the portion constituting the housing portion of the head portion.

[0010] In the electric shielding device, the charging terminal portion may be configured to be located on the front surface of the cap portion. According to the above configuration, when connecting a charging device to the charging terminal portion, it is possible to make it easier for the user to visually recognize the position of the charging terminal portion.

[0011] The electric shielding device for solving the above problems includes a head portion that suspends and supports a shielding material. The head portion includes a rechargeable battery that supplies power to a drive portion that operates the shielding material, and a light emitting portion that changes its lighting state according to the charging state of the rechargeable battery. According to the above configuration, the user can grasp the charging state of the rechargeable battery based on the lighting state of the light emitting portion.

[0012] In the above electric shading device, the head portion includes a housing portion that houses the drive portion and the rechargeable battery, and a cap portion that is located at an end of the housing portion. The cap portion may be configured to include a charging terminal portion for connecting a charging device for charging the rechargeable battery and the light emitting portion. According to the above configuration, the light emitting portion and the charging terminal portion can be arranged together. With such a configuration, for example, the light emitting portion and the charging terminal portion can be mounted together on a charging substrate disposed in the cap portion.

[0013] In the above electric shading device, the charging terminal portion may be located on the front surface of the cap portion, and the light emitting portion may be configured to be located below and offset in the left - right direction with respect to the charging terminal portion on the front surface of the cap portion. According to the above configuration, even when a charging device is connected to the charging terminal portion, the user can easily visually recognize the lighting state of the light emitting portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a novel electric shading device incorporating a rechargeable battery and a novel charging system for charging the rechargeable battery incorporated in the electric shading device can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The electric shading device and its charging system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. [Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 1 includes a horizontal blind 10, a charging cable 50, and a cable holding member 60.

[0017] The horizontal blind 10 is an example of an electric shading device. The horizontal blind 10 includes a head box 11, a ladder cord 15, slats 16, a bottom rail 17, and a lifting cord 18.

[0018] The head box 11 is attached to a mounting portion such as a ceiling, a window frame, or a curtain box. The head box 11 is an example of a head portion provided in the electric shading device. The head box 11 suspends and supports the slats 16.

[0019] The head box 11 includes a housing portion 12, a first cap portion 13, and a second cap portion 14. The housing portion 12 is a frame having a U-shaped cross-section with an open top when viewed from the side. The first cap portion 13 is attached to one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing portion 12. The second cap portion 14 is attached to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the housing portion 12.

[0020] The ladder cord 15 hangs down from the head box 11. The ladder cord 15 includes a pair of vertical threads and a horizontal thread spanned between the pair of vertical threads. A plurality of the horizontal threads are provided along the vertical direction which is the elevating direction of the horizontal blind 10 between the pair of vertical threads. Each of the horizontal threads provided along the vertical direction between the pair of vertical threads supports the slat 16. For example, the ladder cord 15 supports the slat 16 by sandwiching the slat 16 vertically between two horizontal threads.

[0021] The slat 16 is an example of a shielding material for shielding solar radiation or the like. The slat 16 has an elongated rectangular thin plate shape. The slat 16 is tiltably supported by a horizontal thread provided between a pair of vertical threads. The horizontal blind 10 includes a plurality of slats 16 arranged along the vertical direction.

[0022] The bottom rail 17 is a weight member for maintaining the state in which a plurality of slats 16 are lowered. The bottom rail 17 is disposed below the lowermost slat 16 among the plurality of slats 16. The lower ends of the pair of vertical threads in the ladder cord 15 are connected to the bottom rail 17.

[0023] The lifting cord 18 hangs down from the head box 11 in the vicinity of the ladder cord 15. The lower end of the lifting cord 18 is connected to the bottom rail 17. When the lifting cord 18 is pulled up, the bottom rail 17 is pulled up, so that the plurality of slats 16 rise so as to stack on the bottom rail 17. Note that the number of the lifting cords 18 is not limited, and the number required for lifting and lowering the slats 16 may be provided.

[0024] The head box 11 includes a cord support device 19, a drive unit 20, a drive shaft 21, and a rechargeable battery 22. These members are accommodated in the accommodation portion 12. The code support device 19 has a mechanism for supporting and operating the ladder code 15 and the hoisting code 18. The head box 11 includes a plurality of code support devices 19 according to the arrangement of the ladder code 15 and the hoisting code 18.

[0025] For example, the code support device 19 includes at least one of a tilt part that adjusts the angle of the slat 16 by moving the ladder code 15 up and down, and a winding part that raises and lowers the slat 16 by unwinding and winding the hoisting code 18.

[0026] The drive part 20 is an actuator that converts electric power into a driving force for operations such as opening / closing and tilting of the shielding material. The drive part 20 is, for example, an electric motor that converts electric power into a rotational force. The drive part 20 is arranged between the code support device 19 closest to the second cap part 14 among the plurality of code support devices 19 and the second cap part 14 within the housing part 12.

[0027] The drive shaft 21 is a square shaft extending in the longitudinal direction of the head box 11. The drive shaft 21 is connected to the code support device 19 and the drive part 20. The drive shaft 21 transmits the rotational force applied from the drive part 20 to the code support device 19.

[0028] The rechargeable battery 22 supplies electric power to electric devices such as the drive part 20 and various electronic devices arranged in the horizontal blind 10. The rechargeable battery 22 is, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery. The rechargeable battery 22 is arranged between the code support device 19 closest to the first cap part 13 among the plurality of code support devices 19 and the first cap part 13 within the housing part 12.

[0029] The head box 11 includes a charging terminal part 31. The charging terminal part 31 is arranged, for example, on the front surface 13S of the first cap part 13. The front surface 13S refers to the outer surface facing the indoor side opposite to the outdoor side direction such as a window in the head box 11.

[0030] The charging terminal portion 31 is configured to be connectable to a charging device for charging the rechargeable battery 22. That is, the charging terminal portion 31 is configured to electrically connect the rechargeable battery 22 and the charging device. An example of the charging device is the charging cable 50.

[0031] The head box 11 includes a light emitting portion 33. As an example, the light emitting portion 33 is disposed on the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13. The light emitting portion 33 is, for example, an LED light. The light emitting portion 33 changes its lighting state according to the charging state of the rechargeable battery 22.

[0032] Note that the light emitting portion 33 changing its lighting state may be by changing the color of the light emitted, or by switching from the lit state to the off state, or by switching from the off state to the lit state. Also, the light emitting portion 33 changing its lighting state may be by switching from a continuously lit state or an off state to a blinking state, or by switching from a blinking state to a continuously lit state or an off state.

[0033] The head box 11 includes a light receiving portion 41. As an example, the light receiving portion 41 is disposed at a corner portion straddling from the front surface to the lower surface of the second cap portion 14. The light receiving portion 41 receives an optical signal from the remote control RC1 (see FIG. 2).

[0034] The charging cable 50 includes a cable portion 51, a cable-side terminal portion 52, and an adapter connection portion 53. In the charging cable 50, the cable-side terminal portion 52 is located at one end of the cable portion 51, and the adapter connection portion 53 is located at the other end of the cable portion 51.

[0035] The cable-side terminal portion 52 is detachably connected to the charging terminal portion 31. The adapter connection portion 53 is configured to be connectable to the AC adapter 54. The AC adapter 54 is connected to the external power supply EPS1 via, for example, an outlet provided on an indoor wall surface. Note that the charging cable 50 may be configured such that the adapter connection portion 53 is omitted and the AC adapter 54 is integrated with the cable portion 51.

[0036] The cable holding member 60 is used to hold the charging cable 50 when connecting the cable-side terminal portion 52 of the charging cable 50 to the charging terminal portion 31 of the horizontal blind 10 and when disconnecting the connection.

[0037] The cable holding member 60 includes, as an example, a rod-shaped rod portion 61 and a holding portion 62 for holding the charging cable 50. The rod portion 61 includes a gripping portion 63 for the user to grip the cable holding member 60. In the cable holding member 60, the holding portion 62 protrudes from one end of the rod portion 61, and the gripping portion 63 is located at the other end of the rod portion 61. Details of the usage method of the cable holding member 60 will be described later.

[0038] [Device Configuration of Horizontal Blind 10] As shown in FIG. 2, the first cap portion 13 constituting the head box 11 includes a charging substrate 30. The charging terminal portion 31 described above is mounted on the charging substrate 30. When the charging cable 50 is connected to the charging terminal portion 31, power from the external power supply EPS1 is supplied to the rechargeable battery 22 via the charging cable 50 and the charging terminal portion 31. Thereby, the rechargeable battery 22 is charged.

[0039] The charging substrate 30 is further mounted with a battery monitoring device 32 and the light emitting portion 33 described above. The battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting portion 33 according to the charging state of the rechargeable battery 22.

[0040] For example, the battery monitoring device 32 includes a control unit and a storage unit. The control unit executes various processes in the battery monitoring device 32. The control unit is, for example, a CPU, an MPU, or the like. The storage unit is a storage device that stores data and various programs for executing various functions of the battery monitoring device 32. The storage unit is a non-volatile memory such as an SSD or an HDD.

[0041] The battery monitoring device 32 includes a remaining amount detection unit and a charging detection unit. The remaining amount detection unit detects the remaining battery amount (voltage) of the rechargeable battery 22. The charging detection unit detects a physical quantity for determining whether charging is being performed on the rechargeable battery 22. For example, the charging detection unit detects the charging current to the rechargeable battery 22. Note that whether charging is being performed on the rechargeable battery 22 can also be detected by an increase in the voltage of the rechargeable battery 22. Therefore, the remaining amount detection unit may also serve as the charging detection unit.

[0042] For example, when the remaining battery amount of the rechargeable battery 22 detected by the remaining amount detection unit is greater than the first threshold value, the control unit of the battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33 to be turned off. The first threshold value is, for example, a value corresponding to 50% or less of the full charge of the remaining battery amount of the rechargeable battery 22, and as an example, 20%. Note that the first threshold value is stored in the storage unit of the battery monitoring device 32.

[0043] For example, when the remaining battery amount of the rechargeable battery 22 detected by the remaining amount detection unit is less than or equal to the first threshold value and greater than the second threshold value, the control unit of the battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33 to be lit in the first color. The second threshold value is a value smaller than the first threshold value, and is, for example, a value corresponding to 10% of the full charge of the remaining battery amount of the rechargeable battery 22. The first color is, for example, yellow. Note that the second threshold value is stored in the storage unit of the battery monitoring device 32.

[0044] For example, when the battery remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 22 detected by the remaining amount detection unit is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the control unit of the battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33 to light in a second color. The second color is, for example, red. With such a configuration, the user can grasp the battery remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 22 by checking the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33.

[0045] For example, when the charging detection unit detects that charging is being performed on the rechargeable battery 22, the control unit of the battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33 to light in a third color. The third color is, for example, orange.

[0046] For example, when the charging of the rechargeable battery 22 is completed and the charging cable 50 is connected to the charging terminal portion 31, the control unit of the battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33 to light in a fourth color. The fourth color is, for example, green.

[0047] For example, when the charging detection unit detects that charging is being performed on the rechargeable battery 22 and the battery remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 22 detected by the remaining amount detection unit is equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the control unit of the battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33 to light in a fourth color. The third threshold value is, for example, a value corresponding to 90% or more and 100% or less of the full charge of the battery remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 22. The third threshold value is stored in the storage unit of the battery monitoring device 32. Further, when the charging cable 50 is removed from the charging terminal portion 31, the control unit of the battery monitoring device 32 controls the lighting state of the light emitting unit 33 to turn off.

[0048] The second cap portion 14 constituting the head box 11 includes a drive control board 40. In addition to the light receiving unit 41 described above, a drive control device 42 is mounted on the drive control board 40. When the light receiving unit 41 receives an optical signal from the remote control RC1, the light receiving unit 41 transmits the optical signal to the drive control device 42. The drive control device 42 controls the drive unit 20 according to the optical signal received by the light receiving unit 41. Thereby, the drive unit 20 performs an operation according to the optical signal, and the slat 16, which is a shielding material, is operated.

[0049] The rechargeable battery 22 supplies the power charged from the external power source EPS1 via the charging cable 50 and the charging terminal portion 31 to the drive unit 20. Further, the rechargeable battery 22 supplies power to the battery monitoring device 32 and the light emitting unit 33 mounted on the charging substrate 30. Further, the rechargeable battery 22 supplies power to the drive control device 42 mounted on the drive control substrate 40. In FIG. 2, the supply path of the power for the power supply is indicated by a thick arrow.

[0050] [Configuration of the first cap portion 13 and the charging cable 50] As shown in FIG. 3, the first cap portion 13 includes a housing 13H that houses the charging substrate 30. The housing 13H constitutes the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13. In FIG. 3, components other than the charging terminal portion 31 and the light emitting unit 33 mounted on the charging substrate 30 are omitted and illustrated.

[0051] The housing 13H includes a first opening 13H1. The first opening 13H1 faces the charging terminal portion 31 mounted on the charging substrate 30 forward of the head box 11. The first opening 13H1 is, for example, a circular hole. The charging terminal portion 31 is located inside the housing 13H rather than the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13.

[0052] The housing 13H includes a second opening 13H2. The second opening 13H2 faces the light emitting unit 33 mounted on the charging substrate 30 forward and downward of the head box 11. In FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, the first opening 13H1 and the charging terminal portion 31, and the second opening 13H2 and the light emitting unit 33 are schematically illustrated in the same cross section.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, the charging terminal portion 31 of the first cap portion 13 has a circular shape. The cable-side terminal portion 52 of the charging cable 50 has a cylindrical shape with a size that can be inserted into the first opening 13H1. The cable-side terminal portion 52 is configured such that the extending direction of the cable portion 51 is orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. The end face portion of the cable-side terminal portion 52 is configured to be electrically connectable to the charging terminal portion 31.

[0054] The charging cable 50 includes a cable boot 55 located at the base of the cable-side terminal portion 52. The cable boot 55 is located at the boundary between the cable portion 51 and the cable-side terminal portion 52. The cable boot 55 is responsible for protecting the boundary portion between the cable portion 51 and the cable-side terminal portion 52. The cable boot 55 is an example of a held portion held by the cable holding member 60.

[0055] The cable boot 55 is configured to be thicker than the cable portion 51. Specifically, the cable boot 55 is configured such that its diameter gradually increases from the cable portion 51 side toward the cable-side terminal portion 52 side.

[0056] The charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 are configured to be attracted to each other by magnetic force. For example, the charging terminal portion 31 includes a permanent magnet, and the cable-side terminal portion 52 includes a ferromagnetic material. Thereby, due to the magnetic force of the charging terminal portion 31, the cable-side terminal portion 52 is attracted to the charging terminal portion 31. Note that the charging terminal portion 31 may include a ferromagnetic material and the cable-side terminal portion 52 may include a permanent magnet.

[0057] The charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 are connected in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the cable portion 51 extending from the cable-side terminal portion 52. The charging terminal portion 31 has an annular concave shape in which the circular outer peripheral portion is recessed more than the central portion. The cable-side terminal portion 52 has an annular convex shape in which the outer peripheral portion at the end face portion of the cylindrical shape protrudes more than the central portion. By fitting the annular convex shape provided at the outer peripheral portion of the end face portion of the cable-side terminal portion 52 into the annular concave shape provided at the outer peripheral portion of the charging terminal portion 31, displacement in the vertical and horizontal directions between the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 is suppressed.

[0058] The charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 have a contact shape that enables connection between the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 in any state of the relative angle of the cable-side terminal portion 52 with respect to the charging terminal portion 31 in a plan view seen from a viewpoint facing the charging terminal portion 31.

[0059] That is, regardless of the relative angle of the cable-side terminal portion 52 with respect to the charging terminal portion 31, the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 can be connected to the charging terminal portion 31 by magnetic force simply by bringing the cable-side terminal portion 52 closer to the charging terminal portion 31.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, the light-emitting portion 33 is located below the charging terminal portion 31 on the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13. Further, the light-emitting portion 33 is located offset in the left-right direction with respect to the center line CL1 located at the center in the left-right direction of the charging terminal portion 31 on the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13.

[0061] Thereby, even when the charging cable 50 is connected to the charging terminal portion 31 when the head box 11 is viewed from the front, it is easier for the user to visually recognize the lighting state of the light-emitting portion 33. For example, the light-emitting portion 33 is located offset toward the housing portion 12 side with respect to the center line CL1 of the charging terminal portion 31 on the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13.

[0062] [Configuration of Cable Holding Member 60] As shown in FIG. 6, the rod portion 61 of the cable holding member 60 includes a shaft portion 61A, a gripping portion 63, and a widened portion 64. The shaft portion 61A is, for example, a hollow cylindrical member made of aluminum. The gripping portion 63 is provided at the end of the shaft portion 61A. The gripping portion 63 is, for example, a grip member made of resin, and as an example, made of synthetic rubber. The widened portion 64 is provided at the end of the shaft portion 61A opposite to the gripping portion 63. The widened portion 64 is thicker than the shaft portion 61A in the rod portion 61.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, a holding portion 62 projects from the widened portion 64. The holding portion 62 includes two holding pieces 62A projecting from the widened portion 64. The holding portion 62 includes a groove portion 62B having a C-shaped upper view formed by the two holding pieces 62A and the widened portion 64.

[0064] A circular space is formed inside the groove portion 62B. The inner diameter of the space formed by the groove portion 62B is larger than the minimum diameter on the cable portion 51 side of the cable boot 55 and smaller than the maximum diameter on the cable side terminal portion 52 side of the cable boot 55. The holding portion 62 holds the cable boot 55 rotatably relative by engaging the groove portion 62B with the cable boot 55.

[0065] The groove portion 62B of the holding portion 62 has an opening 62C between the tips of the two holding pieces 62A. The width W1 of the opening 62C is larger than the outer diameter of the cable portion 51 of the charging cable 50. That is, the cable portion 51 of the charging cable 50 is configured to be able to pass through the opening 62C. Note that the width W1 of the opening 62C corresponds to the distance between the tips of the two holding pieces 62A.

[0066] Also, the width W1 of the opening 62C is smaller than the maximum width (for example, diameter) of the circular space formed inside the groove portion 62B. That is, the holding portion 62 is configured such that the tips of the two holding pieces 62A approach each other.

[0067] The holding part 62 has a width W2 in a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction in which the holding part 62 protrudes from the widening part 64. The widening part 64 has a width W3 in a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction. The width W3 of the widening part 64 is larger than the width W2 of the holding part 62. Note that the width W2 of the holding part 62 and the width W3 of the widening part 64 do not necessarily have to be widths in a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction, and may be widths in at least a direction intersecting the protruding direction.

[0068] [Method of using the cable holding member 60] When charging the rechargeable battery 22, since the charging cable 50 is a relatively flexible member, it is necessary to connect the cable-side terminal part 52 to the charging terminal part 31 of the head box 11 while holding the vicinity of the cable-side terminal part 52. Further, after the charging of the rechargeable battery 22 is completed, in order to avoid an excessive load on the charging cable 50, it is necessary to remove the charging cable 50 while holding the vicinity of the cable-side terminal part 52 connected to the charging terminal part 31 of the head box 11.

[0069] On the other hand, the head box 11 of the horizontal blind 10 is arranged at a high place such as the ceiling or the upper part of the wall. Therefore, depending on the arrangement of the head box 11 and the physique of the user, when connecting the charging cable 50 to the head box 11 arranged at a high place and removing the charging cable 50 from the head box 11, there may be a case where the hand cannot reach near the head box 11.

[0070] Therefore, in the charging system 1, the charging cable 50 can be connected to the head box 11 arranged at a high place and removed from the head box 11 while the charging cable 50 is held by the cable holding member 60.

[0071] Hereinafter, a method of connecting the charging cable 50 to the head box 11 using the cable holding member 60 will be described. First, the cable part 51 of the charging cable 50 is arranged inside the groove part 62B through the opening 62C provided in the holding part 62 of the cable holding member 60.

[0072] Then, with the cable portion 51 disposed inside the groove portion 62B, the holding portion 62 is moved along the cable portion 51 in a direction approaching the cable-side terminal portion 52, moving the groove portion 62B. When the groove portion 62B reaches the cable boot 55 located at the base of the cable-side terminal portion 52, the groove portion 62B and the cable boot 55 engage with each other.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the groove portion 62B of the cable holding member 60 and the cable boot 55 of the charging cable 50 are engaged, the holding portion 62 holds the cable boot 55 so as to be relatively rotatable from below. The user holds the gripping portion 63 of the cable holding member 60 that holds the charging cable 50 as described above and moves the cable holding member 60 to bring the cable-side terminal portion 52 of the charging cable 50 closer to the charging terminal portion 31. Then, the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 are magnetically attracted, and the charging cable 50 is connected to the head box 11.

[0074] When the charging cable 50 is connected to the head box 11, charging of the rechargeable battery 22 is started. After the connection of the charging cable 50 to the head box 11 is completed, by pulling the cable holding member 60 downward while the charging cable 50 is still connected to the head box 11, the engagement between the groove portion 62B and the cable boot 55 is released. Then, by further pulling the cable holding member 60 downward to move the groove portion 62B to the position of the cable portion 51, the cable portion 51 located inside the groove portion 62B can be removed through the opening 62C. Through the above procedure, the connection of the charging cable 50 to the head box 11 using the cable holding member 60 is completed.

[0075] Hereinafter, a method for removing the charging cable 50 connected to the head box 11 using the cable holding member 60 will be described. First, the cable portion 51 of the charging cable 50 connected to the head box 11 is disposed inside the groove portion 62B through the opening 62C provided in the holding portion 62 of the cable holding member 60.

[0076] Then, with the cable portion 51 disposed inside the groove portion 62B, the holding portion 62 is moved along the cable portion 51 in a direction approaching the cable-side terminal portion 52, thereby engaging the groove portion 62B with the cable boot 55 (the state shown in FIG. 8). In this state, the holding portion 62 holds the cable boot 55 rotatably relative to it from below.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9, next, with the holding portion 62 engaged with the cable boot 55 of the charging cable 50 connected to the head box 11, the cable holding member 60 is rotated in the direction of arrow X1 with the cable boot 55 as the rotation axis. Arrow X1 indicates the rotation direction in which the widened portion 64 approaches the head box 11 with the cable boot 55 as the rotation axis. Thereby, the widened portion 64 abuts against some portion of the head box 11. In FIG. 9, the portion where the head box 11 and the widened portion 64 abut is shown as point P1. Also, in FIG. 9, the cross-sectional shape of the cable boot 55 in a state of being engaged with the holding portion 62 is schematically shown by hatching.

[0078] When a rotational force is further applied to the cable holding member 60 in the direction of arrow X1 from the state where the head box 11 and the widened portion 64 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9 are in contact, a force in the direction of arrow X2 acts on the cable boot 55 with point P1 as the fulcrum. Arrow X2 indicates the rotation direction in which the cable boot 55 moves away from the head box 11 with point P1 as the fulcrum. Thereby, the adsorption holding by the magnetic force between the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 is released by the force in the direction of arrow X2 acting on the cable boot 55 with point P1 as the fulcrum. By the above procedure, the removal of the charging cable 50 from the head box 11 using the cable holding member 60 is completed.

[0079] [Effects of the Embodiment] (1) The charging system 1 includes a horizontal blind 10 in which a rechargeable battery 22 is housed in a head box 11, and a charging cable 50 for electrically connecting the rechargeable battery 22 and an external power source EPS1. In this configuration, by connecting the cable-side terminal portion 52 of the charging cable 50 to the charging terminal portion 31 of the head box 11, the rechargeable battery 22 housed in the head box 11 can be charged.

[0080] In the charging system 1, the charging cable 50 may be connected to the head box 11 only when the rechargeable battery 22 is being charged. Therefore, the design can be improved compared to a form in which a power supply cable connecting the external power source EPS1 and the head box 11 is always hanging down from the head box 11. Also, the charging cable 50 is a relatively lightweight and flexible member. Therefore, even if the charging cable 50 connected to the head box 11 accidentally comes off the head box 11, it is suitable in that a large impact is unlikely to occur when the charging cable 50 falls.

[0081] (2) The charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 are configured to attract each other by magnetic force. For example, in the head box 11 disposed at a high place, it may be difficult for the user to visually recognize the connection portion between the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52. Even in such a case, by simply bringing the cable-side terminal portion 52 close to the approximate position of the charging terminal portion 31, the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 can be easily connected by magnetic force.

[0082] (3) The charging system 1 includes a cable holding member 60 having a holding portion 62. The holding portion 62 holds a cable boot 55 located at the base of the cable-side terminal portion 52 in the charging cable 50. By using the cable holding member 60 to hold the cable boot 55, the charging cable 50 can be easily connected to the charging terminal portion 31 of the head box 11 disposed at a high place.

[0083] (4) In the cable holding member 60, the width W3 of the widened portion 64, which is the portion where the holding portion 62 projects in the rod portion 61, is larger than the width W2 of the holding portion 62. The holding portion 62 holds the cable boot 55 in a relatively rotatable state. According to this configuration, when the cable holding member 60 is rotated about the cable boot 55 with the cable boot 55 of the charging cable 50 connected to the charging terminal portion 31 held by the holding portion 62, the widened portion 64 abuts against the head box 11. At this time, a force in a direction away from the head box 11 acts on the cable boot 55 with the contact point P1 where the head box 11 and the widened portion 64 are in contact as a fulcrum. Thereby, the adsorption holding by the magnetic force between the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable side terminal portion 52 can be easily released.

[0084] (5) In the horizontal blind 10, the charging terminal portion 31 for connecting the charging cable 50, which is an example of a charging device, is arranged in the first cap portion 13 located at the end of the head box 11. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the design property due to providing the charging terminal portion 31 in the head box 11 as compared with the configuration of providing the charging terminal portion 31 in the accommodating portion 12 of the head box 11. Further, when the rechargeable battery 22 is charged, the charging cable 50 is connected to the charging terminal portion 31. Therefore, it is more preferable in terms of design than the configuration in which the charging cable 50 hangs down from the accommodating portion 12 of the head box 11 during charging of the rechargeable battery 22.

[0085] (6) The charging terminal portion 31 is located on the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13. If the charging terminal portion 31 is provided on the side surface of the first cap portion 13, a space for attaching and detaching the charging cable 50 is required on the side of the first cap portion 13. Therefore, when there are a window frame, a curtain box, etc. on the side of the head box 11, it may not be possible to secure a space for attaching and detaching the charging cable 50, or there may be a problem that it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the position of the charging terminal portion 31. In this regard, by providing the charging terminal portion 31 on the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13, even when there are a window frame, a curtain box, etc. on the side of the head box 11, a space for attaching and detaching the charging cable 50 can be secured. Also, the user can easily visually recognize the position of the charging terminal portion 31.

[0086] (7) By providing a light-emitting portion 33 that changes the lighting state according to the charging state of the rechargeable battery 22 in the head box 11, the user can grasp the charging state of the rechargeable battery 22 based on the lighting state of the light-emitting portion 33.

[0087] (8) By arranging both the charging terminal portion 31 and the light-emitting portion 33 together on the first cap portion 13, the charging terminal portion 31 and the light-emitting portion 33 can be mounted together on the charging substrate 30 arranged on the first cap portion 13.

[0088] (9) The light-emitting portion 33 is located below and offset in the left-right direction with respect to the charging terminal portion 31 on the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13 provided in the head box 11. Thereby, even when the charging cable 50 is connected to the charging terminal portion 31, it is possible to make it easier for the user to visually recognize the lighting state of the light-emitting portion 33.

[0089] (10) The charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 are configured to be connectable regardless of the relative angle of the cable-side terminal portion 52 with respect to the charging terminal portion 31 in a plan view as viewed from a viewpoint facing the charging terminal portion 31. Thereby, the cable-side terminal portion 52 can be easily connected to the charging terminal portion 31.

[0090] [Modified Example] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other as long as they do not technically conflict with each other.

[0091] · In a plan view from a perspective facing the charging terminal portion 31, the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 may be configured to be connected only when the relative angle of the cable-side terminal portion 52 with respect to the charging terminal portion 31 is a specific angle. In this case, the direction in which the cable portion 51 of the charging cable 50 hanging down from the head box 11 is pulled out can be defined.

[0092] · The position of the light-emitting portion 33 with respect to the charging terminal portion 31 is not limited. For example, the light-emitting portion 33 may be located above the charging terminal portion 31, or the light-emitting portion 33 may not be offset in the left-right direction with respect to the charging terminal portion 31. When the light-emitting portion 33 is located above the charging terminal portion 31, the light-emitting portion 33 will not be hidden by the charging cable 50 when the head box 11 is viewed from the front, but there is a possibility that the light-emitting portion 33 will be hidden by the charging cable 50 when the head box 11 is looked up from an obliquely downward direction.

[0093] · The light-emitting portion 33 may not be arranged in the first cap portion 13. For example, the light-emitting portion 33 may be arranged in the accommodating portion 12 or the second cap portion 14. Similarly, the charging terminal portion 31 may not be arranged in the first cap portion 13. For example, the charging terminal portion 31 may be arranged in the accommodating portion 12 or the second cap portion 14.

[0094] · The head box 11 may not be provided with the light-emitting portion 33. · The charging terminal portion 31 may be provided on the side surface of the first cap portion 13 instead of the front surface 13S of the first cap portion 13. In this case, although a space for attaching and detaching the charging cable 50 is required on the side of the first cap portion 13, since the charging terminal portion 31 is not located on the front surface of the head box 11, the design property of the head box 11 can be improved.

[0095] · Instead of the charging cable 50, the charging system 1 may be configured to charge the rechargeable battery 22 using other charging devices. For example, a terminal detachably connected to the charging terminal portion 31 may be provided at the tip of a rod-shaped member such as the cable holding member 60. The rod-shaped member may include a cable connected to the external power source EPS1, or may include a battery that stores electric power for charging the rechargeable battery 22. When a rod-shaped member having a terminal connected to the charging terminal portion 31 is used as a charging device, the cable holding member 60 becomes unnecessary, so the number of parts can be reduced.

[0096] · The cable holding member 60 is not limited to a rod shape and may be in any form as long as it includes a holding portion 62 that holds the charging cable 50 and a gripping portion 63 that the user grips. · In the rod portion 61 of the cable holding member 60, a configuration in which the widened portion 64 is thicker than the shaft portion 61A has been illustrated. Instead of this, the thickness of the rod portion 61 may be constant. That is, a configuration having a width W3 larger than the width W2 of the holding portion 62 may be provided over the entire rod portion 61. Also, the width W3 of the portion of the rod portion 61 where the holding portion 62 projects may be equal to the width W2 of the holding portion 62. In this case, the charging cable 50 in a state where the cable-side terminal portion 52 is connected to the charging terminal portion 31 may be removed from the head box 11 by any method such as pulling the cable holding member 60 forward.

[0097] · In the charging system 1, it is not always necessary to use the cable holding member 60 for connecting the charging cable 50 to the head box 11 and removing the charging cable 50 from the head box 11. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the cable holding member 60 is used when the user needs it, depending on the user's physique and the height at which the head box 11 is placed.

[0098] · The charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 are not limited to a configuration in which they are attracted to each other by magnetic force. For example, a configuration in which the connection between the charging terminal portion 31 and the cable-side terminal portion 52 is maintained by a physical holding mechanism such as a friction lock may also be used.

[0099] · In this embodiment, a horizontal blind 10 is exemplified as the electric shading device. However, the electric shading device is not limited to this, and it may be any device that includes a rechargeable battery 22 at least in the head portion. For example, the shading device may be a lift curtain, a pleated screen, a roll-up screen, a vertical blind, a vertical pleated screen, a vertical roll screen, a curtain rail, an accordion curtain, a panel curtain, or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] EPS1…External power supply 1…Charging system 10…Horizontal blind 11…Head box 12…Storage part 13…First cap part 13S…Front surface 14…Second cap part 16…Slat 19…Cable support device 20…Drive part 22…Rechargeable battery 31…Charging terminal part 33…Light emitting part 50…Charging cable 51…Cable part 52…Cable side terminal part 60…Cable holding member 61…Rod part 62…Holding part 63…Gripping part 64…Width expanding part

Claims

1. An electric shading device having a head portion that houses a rechargeable battery that supplies power to a drive unit that operates a shading material, and a charging cable for electrically connecting the rechargeable battery and an external power source. The head portion includes a charging terminal portion that enables electrical connection between the rechargeable battery and the charging cable. The charging cable includes a cable-side terminal portion that is detachably connected to the charging terminal portion. A charging system for an electric shading device.

2. The charging terminal portion and the cable-side terminal portion are attracted to each other by magnetic force. The charging system for an electric shading device according to Claim 1.

3. A cable holding member having a holding portion for holding the charging cable and a gripping portion for a user to grip, wherein the charging cable includes a held portion that is held by the holding portion, and the held portion is located at the base of the cable-side terminal portion. The charging system for an electric shading device according to Claim 2.

4. The cable holding member includes a rod portion including the gripping portion, the holding portion projects from the rod portion, the width of the portion of the rod portion where the holding portion projects is larger than the width of the holding portion, and the holding portion holds the held portion so as to be relatively rotatable. The charging system for an electric shading device according to Claim 3.

5. A head portion that suspends and supports a shading material, and a rechargeable battery that supplies power to a drive unit that operates the shading material. The head portion includes a housing portion that houses the drive unit and the rechargeable battery, and a cap portion attached to an end of the housing portion. The cap portion includes a charging terminal portion for detachably connecting a charging device for charging the rechargeable battery. An electric shading device.

6. The charging terminal portion is located on a front surface provided in the cap portion. The electric shading device according to Claim 5.

7. A head portion that suspends and supports a shading material, wherein the head portion, includes a rechargeable battery that supplies power to a drive unit that operates the shading material, and a light emitting portion that changes its lighting state according to the charging state of the rechargeable battery. An electric shading device.

8. The head portion includes a housing portion that houses the drive unit and the rechargeable battery, and a cap portion located at an end of the housing portion, and the cap portion includes a charging terminal portion for connecting a charging device for charging the rechargeable battery and the light emitting portion. The electric shading device according to Claim 7.

9. The charging terminal portion is located on the front surface of the cap portion. The light emitting portion is located on the front surface of the cap portion, below and offset in the left-right direction with respect to the charging terminal portion. The electric shielding device according to claim 8.

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