Electric shielding device

Abstract

To provide an electrically operated shielding device that can enhance the aesthetic appeal. [Solution] Multiple runners 2 are configured such that the leading runner 2A is transported along the hanger rail, causing the remaining runners 2, including the last runner 2B, to be transported sequentially along the hanger rail. The shielding material comprises multiple shielding material units, and the shielding material is configured such that each shielding material unit is connected to each other by fixing one first hanger member and the other second hanger member of adjacent shielding material units. The guiding means is configured to transport the leading runner 2A along the hanger rail. The system further includes a spacing maintenance means, which, when the shielding material is folded, maintains a width in the left-right direction from the end of the last runner 2B in the folding direction to the end of the leading runner 2A in the pulling direction that is wider than the sum of the widths of all runners 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric shading device including a shading material formed by connecting a plurality of shading material units.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a shading device including a shading material formed by connecting a plurality of shading material units (for example, Patent Document 1). Further, there has been an electric shading device (electric vertical blind) that electrically performs an induction operation of folding a shading material (slat) suspended and supported by a plurality of runners and a tilt operation of adjusting the angle of the shading material (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when trying to fold the shading material formed by connecting the above-described plurality of shading material units until the runners abut against each other, the runners will naturally return in the pulling-out direction due to the repulsion of the shading material, so that the distance between the runners will be appropriately maintained. However, when performing such a folding operation electrically, the guide shaft for moving the runners is stopped by control. Therefore, when the shading material is folded until the runners abut against each other, the runners cannot naturally move in the pulling-out direction. As a result, the shading material bulges toward the front side (indoor side), and there is a risk that the design property deteriorates.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an electric shading device capable of enhancing the design property. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides the following: [1] An electric shielding device comprising a hanger rail, a plurality of runners, a shielding material, and a guide means, wherein the plurality of runners are configured such that the leading runner is transported along the hanger rail, causing the remaining runners, including the last runner, to be transported sequentially along the hanger rail, the shielding material comprises a plurality of shielding material units, each shielding material unit comprises a shielding member, a first hanger member, and a second hanger member, the first hanger member being attached to one end of the upper end of the shielding member along the hanger rail, and the second hanger member being attached to the other end along the hanger rail, and the shielding material is connected to adjacent shielding material units An electric shielding device comprising: a first hanger member and a second hanger member, both fixed to each other, thereby connecting each shielding material unit to one another; a screen hanger supported by the corresponding runner by the first hanger member and the second hanger member; a guiding means configured to transport the leading runner along the hanger rail; and a spacing maintenance means further comprising a spacing maintenance means that, when the shielding material is folded, maintains the width in the left-right direction from the end of the last runner in the folding direction to the end of the leading runner in the pulling direction to be wider than the sum of the widths of all runners. An electrically operated shielding device as described in [2][1], further comprising a control means for controlling the drive of the induction means, wherein the spacing maintenance means is implemented by the control means. An electrically operated shielding device as described in [3][2], wherein the control means is configured to control the guiding means so that when a folding instruction is given to fold the shielding material all the way, the shielding material is in a semi-folded state where it is not folded all the way. An electric shielding device as described in [4][3], wherein the semi-folded state is a state in which the width in the left-right direction from the end of the rearmost runner in the folding direction to the end of the front runner in the pulling direction is greater than 1 and less than 10 times the total length of the widths of all screen hangers. An electric shielding device as described in [5][3], wherein the semi-folded state is a state in which the left-right position of the leading runner is between 1 and 25, with the left-right position of the leading runner being defined as 0 when the shielding material is folded and all runners are in contact, and 100 when the shielding material is fully extended. An electrically operated shielding device as described in [6][1], wherein the spacing maintenance means is a spacer for maintaining the spacing between each runner when the shielding material is folded. An electrically operated shielding device according to any one of [7][1] to [6], wherein the shielding member comprises a pair of drape sections and a lace section disposed between them. An electrically operated shielding device according to any of [8][1] to [7], wherein when the screen hangers of the plurality of runners are rotated by the rotation of a tilt axis disposed in the hanger rail, the shielding material transitions between an open state and a closed state. An electrically operated shielding device according to any of [9][2]~[5],[7], or[8], wherein the induction means includes an induction encoder for detecting a rotation signal of the induction shaft, and the control means is configured to calculate the induction position of the leading runner from the rotation signal detected by the induction encoder and to control the driving of the induction means. An electrically operated shielding device according to any of

[10] [2]~[5],[7], or[8], wherein the induction means comprises an induction motor for rotating the induction shaft, and the control means rotates the induction motor in a direction in which the shielding material is folded, observes the current value of the induction motor, and when it detects that the current value exceeds a predetermined threshold, rotates the induction motor in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount. An electrically operated shielding device according to any of

[11] [3] to [5], wherein the control means is configured to switch between a folding mode in which the shielding material is folded until each runner contacts it, and a semi-folding mode in which the shielding material is in a semi-folded state, when a folding instruction is given to fold the shielding material to the end. An electrically operated shielding device as described in

[12]

[11] , further comprising a switching means for receiving an instruction to switch between the convolution mode and the quasi-convolution mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, since the spacing between runners is maintained by the spacing maintenance means, excessive folding of the shielding material is suppressed, and it is possible to prevent the shielding material from bulging outwards and reducing its aesthetic appeal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an electrically operated shielding device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a right side view of the electrically operated shielding device 100. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a plan view of the electrically operated shielding device 100. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a rear view showing the internal configuration of the hanger rail 1 of the electric shielding device 100. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the runner 2 and screen hanger 10 of the electric shielding device 100. [Figure 6] Figure 6A is a front view of the top of the shielding unit 3U of the shielding material 3 in Figure 1, and Figure 6B is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the shielding unit 3U before assembly of Figure 6A. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the screen hanger 10. [Figure 8] Figure 8A is a perspective view of the first hanger member 31 of the shielding material unit 3U shown in Figure 6A, and Figure 8B is an exploded perspective view of the second hanger member 32. [Figure 9]FIG. 9A is a front view of the upper part of the shielding material unit 3UL for the left end, and FIG. 9B is a front view of the upper part of the shielding material unit 3UR for the right end. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a plan view schematically showing the state when the shielding material 3 of the electric shielding device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is in the open state, and FIG. 10B is a plan view schematically showing the state when the shielding material 3 is in the closed state. [Figure 11] It is a reference view of the remote controller 81 of the operation means 8 for operating the electric shielding device 100 of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric shielding device 100 of FIG. 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A is an explanatory view showing the state where all the runners 2 are in contact with each other, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory view showing the state when the folding operation is stopped without the runners 2 being in contact with each other. [Figure 14] FIG. 14A is an explanatory view showing the state where the shielding material 3 is in the folded state, and FIG. 14B is an explanatory view showing the state where the shielding material 3 is in the semi-folded state. [Figure 15] It is an explanatory view showing the folded state, the pulled-out state, and the semi-folded state of the shielding material 3 side by side. [Figure 16] FIG. 16A is a plan view of the electric shielding device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present embodiment, and FIG. 16B is an explanatory view showing the state where the spacer 11 is passed through the guide shaft 43 of the electric shielding device 100.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Various characteristic matters shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Also, an invention can be established independently for each characteristic.

[0010] 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Overall Configuration of the Electric Shielding Device 100 An electrically operated shading device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured as an electrically operated, dimmable vertical blind. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the electrically operated shading device 100 of this embodiment comprises a hanger rail 1, a plurality of runners 2, a shading material 3 consisting of a plurality of shading material units 3U, a guide means 4, a tilt means 5, a power supply board 6, a control board 7 (see Figure 4), and an operating means 8 (see Figure 3). Each component will be described in detail below.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hanger rail 1 is constructed in a case-like manner and is installed, for example, on the wall, ceiling, and window frame of a building. Inside the hanger rail 1 are multiple runners 2, as well as the components of the guide means 4 and tilt means 5, a power supply board 6, a control board 7, etc., as shown in Figure 4.

[0012] Multiple runners 2 suspend and support the shielding material 3. As shown in Figure 1, the multiple runners 2 consist of a leading runner 2A and the remaining runners 2 that follow it, with the remaining runners 2 including the last runner 2B. In the illustrated example, the leading runner 2A is located on the far left, and the last runner 2B is located on the far right. As shown in Figure 2, the tilt shaft 53 of the tilt mechanism 5, which will be described later, is inserted through each runner 2. In addition, at least the leading runner 2A also has the guide shaft 43 of the guide mechanism 4, which will be described later, inserted through it.

[0013] Each runner 2 specifically includes a case portion 20, a gear mechanism portion 21, a shaft portion 22, a suspension portion 23, and a guide roller 24, as shown in Figure 5.

[0014] The case portion 20 is provided with a gear mechanism portion 21 and a shaft portion 22. The gear mechanism portion 21 has a gear into which the tilt shaft 53 is inserted, and a gear that transmits the rotation of this gear to the shaft portion 22. When the tilt shaft 53 rotates, the various gears in the gear mechanism portion 21 rotate, causing the shaft portion 22 to rotate. The shaft portion 22 is provided so as to protrude from the case portion 20, and a suspension portion 23 is formed at the lower end of the shaft portion 22. As the shaft portion 22 rotates, the screen hanger 10 suspended from the suspension portion 23 rotates.

[0015] Furthermore, as the shaft portion 22 rotates, the screen hanger 10 and the shielding material 3 suspended therefrom are rotated to a direction that is almost parallel to the hanger rail 1, preventing further rotation of the shaft portion 22 in the same direction. When the rotation of the shaft portion 22 is prevented, the gear mechanism portion 21 rotates freely relative to the shaft portion 22.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the guide roller 24 is rotatably supported on a roller shaft extending from the case portion 20 in the front and rear directions, and moves along the guide rail 1r (see Figure 2) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the hanger rail 1, thereby causing the runner 2 to move within the hanger rail 1.

[0017] Furthermore, the leading runner 2A is equipped with a receiving member (not shown) having three spiral projections, which are fitted into a guide shaft 43 having spiral grooves 43a (see Figure 1). As a result, when the guide shaft 43 rotates, the leading runner 2A moves along the hanger rail 1 in a screw-like manner, either to the left (pulling direction to pull out the shielding material 3) or to the right (folding direction to fold in the shielding material 3). In addition, each runner 2 is connected via an elongated, thin plate-shaped connecting means 2s (see Figure 5). With this configuration, when the guide shaft 43 rotates in one direction, the leading runner 2A moves to the left, and then the subsequent runners 2 move to the left sequentially at equal intervals via the connecting means 2s. Conversely, when the guide shaft 43 rotates in the other direction (reverse direction), the leading runner 2A moves to the right, and the remaining runners 2 are sequentially pushed back to the right. As described above, the multiple runners 2 in this embodiment are configured such that the leading runner 2A is transported along the hanger rail 1, and the remaining runners 2 are transported sequentially along the hanger rail 1. However, it is preferable that the last runner 2B is fixed to the hanger rail 1 so that it cannot move in the left-right direction.

[0018] Next, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the shielding material 3 is composed of multiple shielding material units 3U connected to each other. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, each shielding material unit 3U comprises a shielding member 30, a first hanger member 31, and a second hanger member 32. The first hanger member 31 is attached to one end of the upper part of the shielding member 30 in the width direction. The second hanger member 32 is attached to the other end of the upper part of the shielding member 30 in the width direction. As shown in Figure 3, each shielding material unit 3U is connected to each other by fixing one first hanger member 31 and the other second hanger member 32 of adjacent shielding material units 3U.

[0019] The following provides a more detailed explanation of each component included in the shielding material unit 3U.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2, 6A, and 6B, the shielding member 30 comprises a lace portion 30a and a pair of drape portions 30b, with the lace portion 30a positioned between the pair of drape portions 30b. The shielding member 30 is made of fabric, and the lace portion 30a and the pair of drape portions 30b are integrally formed by sewing.

[0021] As shown in Figure 6B, a folded portion 30c is formed at the top of each drape portion 30b during the manufacturing process, which protrudes above the lace portion 30a. The shielding member 30 is constructed by folding the folded portion 30c to the back side, placing the first hanger member 31 and the second hanger member 32 between the drape portion 30b and the folded portion 30c, and fixing them together with double-sided tape or adhesive. In this embodiment, the shielding member 30 is configured to have the first hanger member 31 fixed to its upper left side in a front view, and the second hanger member 32 fixed to its upper right side, but they may be fixed in the opposite positions.

[0022] In addition, the drape portion 30b and the folded portion 30c have holes 30d formed therein to expose the first fixing member 31b of the first hanger member 31 and the second fixing member 32b of the second hanger member 32, which will be described later, to the outside. Furthermore, the drape portion 30b and the folded portion 30c have elongated holes 30e that extend beyond the folded portion to accommodate the hanging portion 31c of the first hanger member 31.

[0023] Furthermore, the first hanger member 31 and the second hanger member 32 can also be fixed to the shielding member 30 by French seams, rather than being glued to the drape portion 30b and the folded portion 30c. However, in the case of French seams, the fabric may bulge and the gap between the fabrics may become larger, which may impair the design, so it is preferable to adhere them with double-sided tape or the like.

[0024] In the shielding material unit 3U of this embodiment, a core fabric 30f extending in the left-right direction is provided at the upper end of the shielding member 30, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. More specifically, the core fabric 30f is provided in the left-right direction so as to span the lace portion 30a and a pair of drape portions 30b. The vertical length L1 of the core fabric 30f is longer than the vertical length L2 of the first hanger member 31 and the second hanger member 32. The core fabric 30f is also provided with through holes (not shown) at positions corresponding to the holes 30d and elongated holes 30e of the drape portion 30b. The core fabric 30f may be sewn to the shielding member 30 or bonded with an adhesive.

[0025] As shown in Figures 7 and 8A, the first hanger member 31 comprises a first base member 31a and a pair of first fixing members 31b, which are separate from the first base member 31a and attached thereto. The first base member 31a is in the shape of a thin plate and is molded, for example, from resin. The first base member 31a has a suspended portion 31c for being suspended from the suspension portion 23 of the runner 2 and a pair of through holes 31d (see Figure 8A) for fixing the pair of first fixing members 31b, both formed at approximately the same height. As a result, the suspended portion 31c and the pair of first fixing members 31b are positioned at approximately the same height. Furthermore, the first base member 31a is lightened to an extent that does not impair its strength as a hanger.

[0026] As shown in Figure 8A, the first fixing member 31b consists of a stud 31b1 and a claw 31b2 having a protrusion similar to that of an American snap (also called a ring snap). The first fixing member 31b is attached to the first base member 31a at the position of the through hole 31d of the first base member 31a by sandwiching the first base member 31a with the stud 31b1 and claw 31b2.

[0027] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 7 and 8B, the second hanger member 32 comprises a second base member 32a and a pair of second fixing members 32b, which are separate members from the second base member 32a and attached thereto. The second base member 32a is in the shape of a thin plate and is molded, for example, from resin. The second base member 32a has a pair of through holes 32d (see Figure 8B) formed at approximately the same height for fixing the pair of second fixing members 32b. The second base member 32a is also lightened to an extent that does not impair its strength as a hanger. Note that the second base member 32a does not have a suspended portion for being suspended from the suspension portion 23 of the runner 2. Instead, a notch 32c is formed at a position corresponding to the suspended portion 31c of the first base member 31a to prevent interference with the suspension portion 23. In this embodiment, the only difference between the first base member 31a and the second base member 32a is the presence or absence of a suspension portion; all other configurations are identical.

[0028] As shown in Figure 8B, the second fixing member 32b is composed of a spring 32b1 and a claw 32b2 (identical to the claw 31b2 of the first fixing member 31b) having a recess for an American snap fastener. The second fixing member 32b is attached to the second base member 32a at the position of the through hole 32d of the second base member 32a by sandwiching the second base member 32a with the spring 32b1 and claw 32b2.

[0029] The first fixing member 31b and the second fixing member 32b that constitute the American hook may be made of metal or resin.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the first hanger member 31 and the second hanger member 32, having the above configuration, are fixed to a pair of first fixing members 31b and a pair of second fixing members 32b that constitute an American hook, thereby forming a screen hanger 10 that is suspended from the suspension portion 23 of the corresponding runner 2 and supports the shielding material 3. More specifically, the screen hanger 10 of this embodiment consists of a second hanger member 32 provided on the right side of the left shielding material unit 3U in an adjacent shielding material unit 3U, and a first hanger member 31 provided on the left side of the right shielding material unit 3U.

[0031] In this embodiment, the width of the screen hanger 10 in the left-right direction is narrower than the width of the runner 2 in the left-right direction, even when including the thickness of the first fixing member 31b and the second fixing member 32b, and the thickness of the fabric of the shielding member 30 and the interlining 30f, as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, when the shielding material 3 is folded, the runners 2 come into contact with each other before the screen hangers 10 come into contact with each other.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the shielding material 3 of this embodiment is constructed by suspending and supporting a plurality of shielding material units 3U having the above configuration on the runners 2 of the hanger rail 1 and connecting them.

[0033] Specifically, the suspended portion 31c of the first hanger member 31 of each shielding material unit 3U is hooked onto the suspended portion 23 of the runner 2, and the first fixing member 31b of the first hanger member 31 is fixed to the second fixing member 32b of the second hanger member 32 of the left-side shielding material unit 3U. By performing this work sequentially, the shielding material 3 is constructed.

[0034] In this embodiment, the leftmost shielding unit 3U (hereinafter referred to as the leftmost shielding unit 3UL) is provided with a first hanger member 31 (hereinafter referred to as the leftmost first hanger member 31L) on its left side, as shown in Figures 3 and 9A. This first hanger member 31 does not have a first fixing member 31b and is composed only of a first base member 31a. The rightmost shielding unit 3U (hereinafter referred to as the rightmost shielding unit 3UR) is provided with a first hanger member 31 (hereinafter referred to as the rightmost first hanger member 31R) on its right side, which has a suspended portion 31c instead of a second hanger member 32, as shown in Figures 3 and 9B. However, this rightmost first hanger member 31R also does not have a first fixing member 31b and is composed only of a first base member 31a.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 9A, and 9B, the screen hanger 10 suspended and supported by the leading runner 2A (hereinafter referred to as the leading screen runner 10A) is composed of a left-end first hanger member 31L, and the screen hanger 10 suspended and supported by the last runner 2B (hereinafter referred to as the last screen runner 10B) is composed of a right-end first hanger member 31R.

[0036] On the other hand, when removing the shielding material 3 of this embodiment from the runner 2, the opposite is done: the first fixing member 31b and the second fixing member 32b of the adjacent shielding material unit 3U are released, and the suspended portion 31c of the first hanger member 31 of each shielding material unit 3U is removed from the suspension portion 23 of the runner 2.

[0037] The guiding means 4 is configured to guide the shielding material 3, that is, to pull it out and fold it in, by moving the leading runner 2A along the hanger rail 1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the guiding means 4 comprises a guiding motor 40, a coupling device 41, a gearbox 42, a guiding shaft 43 (see Figures 1 and 2), and a guiding encoder 44. The rotation of the output shaft of the guiding motor 40 is transmitted to the guiding shaft 43 via the coupling device 41 and the gearbox 42. The guiding shaft 43 is positioned within the hanger rail 1 and is inserted through each runner 2, including the leading runner 2A. As the guiding shaft 43 rotates, the leading runner 2A moves along the hanger rail 1 in the leftward direction (pulling direction to pull out the shielding material 3) and the rightward direction (folding direction to fold in the shielding material 3), causing the shielding material 3 to be pulled out or folded in sequentially.

[0038] Furthermore, the induction encoder 44 detects the rotation of the induction shaft 43 as a physical change using a sensor element via a detection method such as mechanical, magnetic, or optical, and transmits it as an electrical signal to the control means 9 (microcomputer 90).

[0039] The tilt mechanism 5 is configured to tilt the shielding material 3 by rotating the shaft portion 22 of each runner 2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the tilt mechanism 5 comprises a tilt motor 50, a coupling device 51, a gearbox 52, a tilt shaft 53 (see Figure 2), and a tilt encoder 54. The rotation of the output shaft of the tilt motor 50 is transmitted to the tilt shaft 53 via the coupling device 51 and the gearbox 52. The tilt shaft 53 is positioned inside the hanger rail 1, inserted through each runner 2, and rotates the shaft portion 22 of each runner 2. The rotation of the tilt shaft 53 causes the shaft portion 22 of each runner 2 to rotate, resulting in the tilting operation of the shielding material 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, the shielding material 3 comprises a lace portion 30a and a pair of drape portions 30b. Therefore, when the shielding material 3 is open (see Figure 10A), light is projected through the lace portion 30a, and when it is closed (see Figure 10B), the drape portions 30b overlap to create a blackout curtain, thus allowing for light control.

[0041] Furthermore, similar to the inductive encoder 44, the tilt encoder 54 detects the rotation of the tilt axis 53 as a physical change using a sensor element via a detection method such as mechanical, magnetic, or optical, and transmits it as an electrical signal to the control means 9 (microcomputer 90).

[0042] The power supply board 6 is connected to an AC power supply (AC100V, see Figure 12) via the power cord 60 shown in Figure 3, and supplies power to the induction motor 40, the tilt motor 50, the control board 7, and the like.

[0043] The control board 7 constitutes the control means 9 (see Figure 12) according to this embodiment. The control means 9 controls the induction and tilting (opening and closing) movements of the shielding material 3. The electrical configuration of the motorized shielding device 100, which includes the control means 9, will be described later.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the induction motor 40 of the induction means 4, the tilt motor 50 of the tilt means 5, the power supply board 6, and the control board 7 are provided in a storage box 1b (see also Figure 2) formed at the rear of the hanger rail 1.

[0045] The operating means 8 is configured for a user or the like to operate the shielding material 3 of the electric shielding device 100. In this embodiment, the operating means 8 includes a receiving unit 80 (see Figures 3 and 12) and a remote control 81 (see Figure 11) which serves as an external operating terminal.

[0046] The receiving unit 80 comprises an RF module 80a, which is an electronic component equipped with wireless communication capabilities for mobile terminals and the like, and an infrared light receiving unit 80b that communicates with the remote control 81 using infrared light. The infrared light receiving unit 80b extends outside the hanger rail 1 to receive signals from the remote control 81. Furthermore, the light receiving unit 80b is not installed in the range where the shielding material 3 moves or in locations where it is exposed to strong infrared rays such as direct sunlight. With this configuration, the receiving unit 80 receives operation instructions from the user and the like, and transmits operation instruction signals to the control means 9.

[0047] The remote control 81 transmits and receives signals using infrared rays, and for example, the infrared transmission and reception range is approximately 7m and the range angle is within approximately 30 degrees. As shown in Figure 11, the remote control 81 has various operation buttons. The open button 81a is pressed when folding the shielding material 3. This sends a folding instruction to the control means 9 via the receiver 80 to fold the shielding material 3 all the way, and the shielding material 3 is folded until the stop button 81b is pressed. The stop button 81b is pressed when stopping the induction operation of the shielding material 3, and a stop instruction is sent to the control means 9 via the receiver 80. The close button 81c is pressed when pulling out the shielding material 3. This sends a pulling instruction to the control means 9 via the receiver 80 to pull out the shielding material 3 as far as it will go, and the shielding material 3 is pulled out until the stop button 81b is pressed.

[0048] The open / close button 81d is pressed when adjusting the tilt angle by rotating the orientation of the shielding material 3 clockwise. This sends a tilt angle adjustment instruction to the control means 9 via the receiving unit 80, and the rotation operation continues as long as the button is pressed. The open / close button 81e is pressed when adjusting the tilt angle by rotating the orientation of the shielding material 3 counterclockwise. This sends a tilt angle adjustment instruction to the control means 9 via the receiving unit 80, and the rotation operation continues as long as the button is pressed. Note that the open / close buttons 81d and 81e are operated when the shielding material 3 is fully extended. In other words, pressing the open / close buttons 81d and 81e during the induction operation of extending the shielding material 3 will not open or close the shielding material 3.

[0049] Furthermore, the external operating terminal is not limited to the infrared remote control 81; it can be any terminal equipped with a command signal communication function with the receiving unit 80, such as a wireless terminal using wireless communication at a predetermined frequency, voice recognition, or a wired external operating terminal.

[0050] 1.2 Electrical configuration of the motorized shielding device 100 Next, the electrical configuration of the motorized shielding device 100 will be described with reference to the block diagram in Figure 12. The motorized shielding device 100 of this embodiment includes a power supply board 6, a control board 7 (control means 9), a receiving unit 80, an induction motor 40 for controlling the rotation of the induction shaft 43, a tilt motor 50 for controlling the rotation of the tilt shaft 53, an induction encoder 44, and a tilt encoder 54.

[0051] The control means 9 is configured on the control board 7 and includes a microcomputer 90, a memory unit 91 such as an EEPROM for storing control programs and the like, and a motor drive unit 92.

[0052] The microcomputer 90 controls the induction operation of the shielding material 3 based on a control program stored in the memory unit 91. Specifically, the microcomputer 90 calculates the induction position of the runner 2, particularly the leading runner 2A, from the rotation signal of the induction shaft 43 detected by the induction encoder 44. The microcomputer 90 also receives pull-out instructions, folding instructions, and stop instructions from the operating means 8. The motor drive unit 92 then transmits pulse signals to the induction motor 40 based on this information, rotating the induction motor 40 (induction shaft 43) to control the pull-out and folding operations of the shielding material 3.

[0053] Similarly, the microcomputer 90 controls the tilting motion of the shielding material 3 based on a control program stored in the memory unit 91. Specifically, the microcomputer 90 calculates the tilt angle of the runner 2 from the rotation signal of the tilt axis 53 detected by the tilt encoder 54. The microcomputer 90 also receives tilt angle adjustment instructions from the operating means 8. The motor drive unit 92 then sends a pulse signal to the tilt motor 50 based on this information, rotating the tilt motor 50 (tilt axis 53) to control the tilting motion of the shielding material 3.

[0054] With the configuration described above, the electric shielding device 100 of this embodiment allows for remote electric adjustment of the induction and tilting movements of the shielding material 3 using an external operating terminal such as a remote control 81.

[0055] 1.3 Folding operation of the motorized shielding device 100 By the way, in the electric shielding device 100 of this embodiment, when the open button 81a of the remote control 81 is pressed to fold the shielding material 3, the control means 9 controls the guidance means 4 so that the shielding material 3 is in a semi-folded state, not folded all the way. Specifically, even if the control means 9 receives a folding instruction to fold the shielding material 3 all the way, and does not receive a stop instruction due to the pressing of the stop button 81b, it will not fold until the state shown in Figure 13A, that is, until the runners 2 come into contact with each other. In other words, in the electric shielding device 100 of this embodiment, the control means 9 terminates the folding operation with a small gap remaining between the runners 2, as shown in Figure 13B.

[0056] More specifically, in the electric shielding device 100 according to this embodiment, the control means 9 terminates the folding operation when the width in the left-right direction from the last runner 2B to the first runner 2A (let's call it the folding width W) is wider than the sum of the left-right widths w of all runners 2 (let's call it the cumulative width WT), as shown in Figure 13B (folding width W > cumulative width WT).

[0057] The folded width W of runner 2 after the folding operation is performed in response to the folding instruction is specifically set to, for example, twice or more the accumulated width WT. Furthermore, the ratio of the folded width W to the accumulated width WT (W / WT) is preferably 1.1 times or more, more preferably 1.5 times or more, and even more preferably 2 times or more. However, since the shielding material 3 needs to be folded, the ratio of the folded width W to the accumulated width WT (W / WT) is preferably 20 times or less, and more preferably 10 times or less. Specifically, the ratio of the folded width W to the accumulated width WT (W / WT) is, for example, 1.1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and may also be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0058] Here, as shown in Figure 13A, when the shielding material 3 is folded until each runner 2 touches each other, the screen hangers 10 suspended from each runner 2 also come into close proximity, almost touching each other through the fabric of the shielding material 3 (hereinafter referred to as the folded state). In the folded state, as shown in Figure 14A, the lace portion 30a (see Figure 6A) provided in the central part in the left-right direction of each shielding member 30 of the shielding material 3 bulges forward due to the rigidity of the interlining 30f (see Figure 6A), etc., which reduces the aesthetic appeal.

[0059] On the other hand, in the electric shielding device 100 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13B, the control means 9 controls the guidance means 4 so that the shielding material 3 is in a semi-folded state without being folded all the way, so that, as shown in Figure 14B, a gap is created between the screen hangers 10 suspended from each runner 2. With this configuration, the bulging of the lace portion 30a of each shielding member 30 toward the front is suppressed in the shielding material 3 of this embodiment, and the aesthetic appearance when the shielding material 3 is folded is improved.

[0060] As described above, in the electric shielding device 100 according to this embodiment, the control means 9 is configured to maintain the spacing between each runner 2. Specifically, the width in the left-right direction from the last runner 2B to the first runner 2A when the shielding material 3 is folded (folded width W) is kept wider than the sum of the widths of all the runners 2 (cumulative width WT).

[0061] Furthermore, the semi-folded state of the shielding material 3 after the folding operation can also be set as follows. That is, as shown in Figure 15, when the left-right position of the leading runner 2A in the folded state where each runner 2 is in contact with each other is set to 0, and the left-right position of the leading runner 2A when the shielding material 3 is fully extended is set to 100, the state in which the left-right position of the leading runner 2A is greater than 0 can be defined as the semi-folded state. In this case, it is preferable that the left-right position of the leading runner 2A in the semi-folded state be 1 or greater. It is also preferable that the left-right position of the leading runner 2A in the semi-folded state be 5 or greater, and more preferably 10 or greater. However, since it is necessary to fold the shielding material 3, it is preferable that the left-right position of the leading runner 2A be 25 or less, preferably 20 or less, and more preferably 15 or less. The left-right position of the leading runner 2A in the semi-folded state is specifically, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and may also be within the range of any two of the values ​​exemplified here. Setting the semi-folded state by such a provision makes it possible to improve the aesthetic appearance when the shielding material 3 is folded.

[0062] 1.4 Effects (1) In the electric shielding device 100 according to this embodiment, the control means 9, as a spacing maintenance means, maintains the width in the left-right direction from the last runner 2B to the first runner 2A (folded width W) when the shielding material 3 is folded in, to be wider than the sum of the widths of all the runners 2 (cumulative width WT). This suppresses the bulging of the shielding material 3 toward the front, and makes it possible to improve the aesthetic appearance when the shielding material 3 is folded in. (2) The control means 9 is configured to control the guidance means 4 so that the shielding material 3 is in a semi-folded state, not folded all the way, when, for example, the open button 81a of the remote control 81 is pressed and a folding instruction is received. This makes it possible to improve the aesthetic appearance when the shielding material 3 is folded without requiring any additional components. (3) Since the shielding material 3 comprises a lace section 30a and a pair of drape sections 30b, the tilting mechanism 5 allows the shielding material 3 to be tilted so that when it is open, light is projected through the lace section 30a, and when it is closed, the drape sections 30b overlap to create a blackout curtain, thereby enabling light control.

[0063] 2. Second Embodiment Next, the electric shielding device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described using Figures 16A and 16B. The electric shielding device 100 according to this embodiment differs from the electric shielding device 100 according to the first embodiment in that the spacing maintenance means for maintaining the spacing between each runner 2 is implemented by a spacer 11 instead of a control means 9. The differences will be explained below.

[0064] As shown in Figures 16A and 16B, the spacer 11 according to this embodiment is positioned between each runner 2 by being alternately inserted through the tilt axis 53 with each runner 2. Specifically, the spacer 11 in this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape, as shown in Figure 16B.

[0065] In the electric shielding device 100 according to this embodiment, by providing spacers 11 between each runner 2, contact between each runner 2 is restricted during the folding operation, and the spacing between each runner 2 is maintained. Even with this configuration, the bulging of the race portion 30a (see Figure 6A) of each shielding member 30 toward the front is suppressed, and the aesthetic appearance when the shielding material 3 is folded is improved.

[0066] 3. Variant Furthermore, the present invention can also be implemented in the following embodiments.

[0067] In the first embodiment described above, the induction means 4 is equipped with an induction encoder 44, and the control means 9 calculates the induction position of the leading runner 2A from the rotation signal of the induction shaft 43, thereby controlling the convolution operation of the shielding material 3, particularly the operation to bring the shielding material 3 to a quasi-convolution state where it is not fully convolved. However, the control of the convolution operation of the shielding material 3 by the control means 9 of the present invention is not limited to the above method, and the induction means 4 does not necessarily have to be equipped with an induction encoder 44.

[0068] Specifically, while the shielding material 3 is folding, the control means 9 monitors the current value of the induction motor 40. When it detects that the current value exceeds a predetermined threshold, it stops the induction motor 40 and rotates it in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount, thereby creating a semi-folded state where the shielding material 3 is not fully folded. In other words, as the folding of the shielding material 3 progresses and the runners 2 come into contact with each other, the rotational load on the induction shaft 43 increases and the current value increases. Therefore, the current value when the state shown in Figure 14A is reached is set as a predetermined threshold, and when the current value exceeds this threshold, the induction motor 40 is rotated in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount (a predetermined pulse), thereby creating the state shown in Figure 14B (semi-folded state). Even with this configuration, excessive folding of the shielding material 3 is suppressed, and the shielding material 3 does not bulge outwards, reducing its aesthetic appeal. The predetermined threshold for the current value at which folding stops and the predetermined pulse for reversing the induction motor 40 are pre-set for each product to ensure that appropriate induction operation is performed.

[0069] In the first embodiment described above, the electric shielding device 100 was configured to automatically enter a semi-folded state (the state shown in Figure 14B) when the open button 81a of the remote control 81 was pressed to fold the shielding material 3. However, the control means 9 can also be configured to accept switching operations from the user or the like, and when it receives an instruction to fold the shielding material 3, it can switch between a folding mode that puts the shielding material in a folded state (the state shown in Figure 14A) and a semi-folded mode that puts it in a semi-folded state. To enable such mode switching, it is preferable to configure the control means 9 to accept switching operations from the user or the like, by providing a separate switching button on the remote control 81 or by providing a DIP switch on, for example, the control board 7 in the hanger rail 1, as a switching means for receiving instructions to switch modes.

[0070] In the first embodiment described above, the control means 9 was configured on the control board 7 within the hanger rail 1. However, at least some of the functions of the control means 9 can also be configured outside the control board 7, for example, on an external server or cloud that can communicate with the control board 7 via wired or wireless communication.

[0071] In the second embodiment described above, spacers 11 were provided between each runner 2, but it is also possible to provide spacers between the screen hangers 10 (between the fabrics of the shielding material 3 supported by the screen hangers 10).

[0072] In the second embodiment described above, the movement of each runner 2, including the leading runner 2A, in the folding direction was restricted by providing a spacer 11 between each runner 2, thereby maintaining the distance between the runners 2. However, it is also possible to directly restrict the movement of the leading runner 2A in the folding direction to maintain the distance between the runners 2. Possible configurations for restricting the movement of the leading runner 2A in the folding direction include, for example, providing a restricting member that contacts the leading runner 2A and physically restricts its movement, providing a limit switch that determines the range of movement of the leading runner 2A in the folding direction, and providing a rotation restricting means that physically restricts the rotation of the guide shaft 43.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the electric shielding device 100 was equipped with an operating means 8 (remote control 81), and the folding operation of the shielding material 3 was performed by operating the remote control 81. However, it is also possible to configure the device to perform the folding operation automatically without accepting user input. For example, it is possible to configure the device to perform the folding operation of the shielding material 3 by detecting when a predetermined time has arrived or when the installation location has reached a predetermined brightness. Even in this case, the design of the shielding material 3 when folded can be improved by controlling the guidance means 4 so that the control means 9 controls the shielding material 3 to a semi-folded state where it is not folded all the way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1: Hanger rail 1b: Storage box 1r: Guide rail 2: Runner 2A: Leading runner 2B: Last runner 2s: Connection means 3: Shielding material 3U: Shielding material unit 3UL: Leftmost shielding unit 3UR: Rightmost shielding unit 4: Guidance means 5: Tilt mechanism 6: Power supply board 7: Control board 8 :Operation means 9: Control means (interval maintenance means) 10: Screen hanger 10A: Leading screen runner 10B: Last screen runner 11: Spacer (means for maintaining spacing) 20: Case section 21: Gear mechanism 22: Shaft 23: Hanging part 24: Guide roller 30: Shielding member 30a: Racing Department 30b: Drape section 30c: Folded section 30d: hole 30e: Long hole 30f: Interlining 31: First hanger member 31L: First hanger component for the left end 31R: First hanger member for the right end 31a: First base member 31b: First fixing member 31b1: Genko 31b2: Claws 31c: Suspended part 31d: Through hole 32: Second hanger member 32a: Second base member 32b: Second fixing member 32b1: Spring 32b2: Claw 32c: Notch 32d: Through hole 40: Induction motor 41 :Connection device 42: Gearbox 43: Guide shaft 43a:Groove 44: Inductive encoder 50: Tilt motor 51 :Connection device 52: Gearbox 53: Tilt axis 54: Tilt encoder 60: Power cord 80: Receiving unit 80a: RF module 80b: Infrared light receiving unit 81: Remote control 81a: Open button 81b: Stop button 81c: Close button 81d: Open / Close Button 81e: Open / Close Button 90: Microcomputer 91: Memory section 92: Motor drive unit 100: Electric shielding device W: Folded width WT: Integral width

Claims

1. An electrically operated shielding device comprising a hanger rail, a plurality of runners, a shielding material, and a guidance means, The plurality of runners are configured such that the leading runner is transported along the hanger rail, and the remaining runners, including the last runner, are transported sequentially along the hanger rail. The shielding material comprises a plurality of shielding material units, Each shielding material unit comprises a shielding member, a first hanger member, and a second hanger member. The upper end of the shielding member is fitted with a first hanger member on one end along the hanger rail, and a second hanger member on the other end along the hanger rail. The shielding material is configured such that each shielding material unit is connected to the others by fixing one first hanger member and the other second hanger member of adjacent shielding material units, and these one first hanger member and the other second hanger member constitute a screen hanger that is suspended and supported by the corresponding runner. The guiding means is configured to transport the leading runner along the hanger rail, Further equipped with means for maintaining spacing, The spacing maintenance means is an electrically operated shielding device that, when the shielding material is folded, maintains a width in the left-right direction from the end of the last runner in the folding direction to the end of the first runner in the pulling direction that is wider than the sum of the widths of all the runners.

2. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 1, The system further comprises control means for controlling the driving of the induction means, The interval maintenance means is an electrically operated shielding device realized by the control means.

3. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 2, The control means is configured to control the guiding means so that when a folding instruction is given to fold the shielding material all the way, the shielding material is not folded all the way, resulting in an electrically operated shielding device.

4. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 3, The aforementioned semi-folded state is a state in which the width in the left-right direction from the end of the rearmost runner in the folding direction to the end of the frontmost runner in the extension direction is greater than 1 and less than 10 times the total length of the widths of all screen hangers, in an electrically operated shielding device.

5. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 3, The aforementioned semi-folded state is a state in which the position of the leading runner in the left-right direction is between 1 and 25, where 0 is the position of the leading runner in the left-right direction when the shielding material is folded and all runners are in contact, and 100 is the position of the leading runner in the left-right direction when the shielding material is fully extended.

6. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 1, The aforementioned spacing maintenance means is a spacer for maintaining the spacing between each runner when the shielding material is folded, in an electrically operated shielding device.

7. An electrically operated shielding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The shielding member is an electrically operated shielding device comprising a pair of drape sections and a lace section positioned between them.

8. An electrically operated shielding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An electrically operated shielding device in which, when the rotation of a tilt axis located within the hanger rail causes each screen hanger of the plurality of runners to rotate, the shielding material transitions between an open state and a closed state.

9. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 2 or claim 3, The induction means includes an induction encoder that detects the rotation signal of the induction shaft, The control means is configured to calculate the induction position of the leading runner from the rotation signal detected by the induction encoder and to control the drive of the induction means, in an electrically operated shielding device.

10. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 2 or claim 3, The induction means includes an induction motor that rotates the induction shaft, The control means rotates the induction motor in a direction in which the shielding material is folded, observes the current value of the induction motor, and when it detects that the current value exceeds a predetermined threshold, rotates the induction motor in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount, an electrically operated shielding device.

11. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 3, The control means is configured to switch between a folding mode, in which the shielding material is folded until each runner contacts it, and a semi-folding mode, in which the shielding material is in a semi-folded state, when a folding instruction is given to fold the shielding material to the end.

12. An electrically operated shielding device according to claim 11, An electrically operated shielding device further comprising a switching means for receiving an instruction to switch between the aforementioned convolution mode and the aforementioned quasi-convolution mode.

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