Control device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can simultaneously raise / lower an upper shielding member and a lower shielding member in different directions.SOLUTION: A control unit 3 controls an electric shielding device, which can independently raise and lower a first moving member disposed below a lower shielding member of two shielding members disposed in a vertically in-series manner and a second moving member disposed between the upper and lower shielding members of the two shielding members. The control unit 3 comprises an elevation control unit 303 that can drive the first moving member and the second moving member in different directions from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This embodiment relates to control of raising and lowering a shading material in an electric shading device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an electric shading device capable of raising and lowering upper and lower shielding materials connected in the vertical direction in the same direction (see Patent Document 1). When this electric shading device receives a further raising signal while the upper shielding material is rising, the lower shielding material also starts to rise. Furthermore, the electric shading device stops the rising operation of the upper shielding material when the upper shielding material reaches its upper limit position, and stops the rising operation of the lower shielding material when the lower shielding material is in the same position as the upper shielding material within a predetermined range. However, with this electric shading device, the upper shielding material and the lower shielding material rise and fall in the same direction, and the upper shielding material and the lower shielding material cannot rise and fall simultaneously in different directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-033802 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To provide a technology that can simultaneously raise and lower an upper shielding material and a lower shielding material in different directions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls an electric shading device that can independently raise and lower a first movable member provided below the lower of two shielding materials arranged vertically in series, and a second movable member provided between the upper of the two shielding materials and the lower of the two shielding materials, the control device being equipped with a control unit that can drive the first and second movable members in directions different from each other. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the upper shielding material and the lower shielding material can be raised and lowered simultaneously in different directions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of an electric shading device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic plan view perspective view showing a configuration of an electric shading device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first operating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second operating device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a collective control process. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining collective spacing driving. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining collective spacing driving. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining collective spacing driving. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining collective approach drive. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining collective approach drive. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining collective approach drive. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of an intermediate bar control process. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of a bottom rail control process. [Figure 17] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining collective spacing driving according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining collective spacing driving according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 19] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining collective spacing driving according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 20] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining collective approach drive according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 21] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining collective approach drive according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 22] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining collective approach drive according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an electric shading device in which the present invention is applied to a pleated screen having two types of screens that can be raised and lowered as a shading material will be described as an example. In this embodiment, the surface facing the room when the electric shading device is installed will be referred to as the front, the surface facing the outside of the room as the back, the direction consisting of the front and back as the front-rear direction, and the longitudinal direction of the electric shading device as the left-right direction. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functions will be given the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

[0009] (Overall configuration) The overall configuration of the electric shading device according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 1 and 2 are a front view and a schematic plan view perspective view, respectively, showing the configuration of the electric shading device according to this embodiment. Note that Figure 1 shows the electric shading device in a state in which the bottom rail is lowered to the lower end position, and only the inside of the head box is shown.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric shading device 1 of this embodiment comprises a head box 2, a bottom rail 31 as a first movable member, two lifting cords 32 formed in the shape of strings or tapes, a screen 33 as a lower shading material (lower shading material), an intermediate bar 41 as a second movable member, two dimmer cords 42 formed in the shape of strings or tapes, and a screen 43 as an upper shading material (upper shading material).

[0011] The head box 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that defines an accommodation space therein, and is fixed to a window frame (not shown) or the like via a plurality of brackets 21. The head box 2 accommodates a first drive shaft 201A, two first winding drums 202A, a first motor 203A, a second drive shaft 201B, two second winding drums 202B, a second motor 203B, a power supply unit 204, and a control device 3.

[0012] The first drive shaft 201A, the two first winding drums 202A, and the first motor 203A constitute a first drive system that raises and lowers the bottom rail 31. The second drive shaft 201B, the two second winding drums 202B, and the second motor 203B constitute a second drive system that raises and lowers the intermediate bar 41. In this embodiment, the first drive system is disposed on the rear side, and the second drive system is disposed on the front side, and the first drive system and the second drive system are arranged side by side at different positions in the front-rear direction. Note that, although the number of each of the first winding drums 202A and the second winding drums 202B is two here, three or more may be provided.

[0013] The first drive shaft 201A and the second drive shaft 201B are rectangular columnar members extending in the left-right direction, and are rotatably supported by the first motor 203A and the second motor 203B in the head box 2 with their axial centers facing the left-right direction. The two first winding drums 202A are each penetrated by the first drive shaft 201A so as to rotate integrally with the first drive shaft 201A, and one end of the corresponding one of the two lift-down cords 32 is connected to the first drive shaft 201A so as to be able to be wound and unwound. The two second winding drums 202B are each penetrated by the second drive shaft 201B so as to rotate integrally with the second drive shaft 201B, and one end of the corresponding one of the two light control cords 42 is connected to the second drive shaft 201B so as to be able to be wound and unwound.

[0014] The bottom rail 31 is connected to the other ends of the two lifting cords 32, is suspended from the head box 2 so as to be located at the lowest end of the motorized shading device 1, and is a member formed to be long in the left-right direction. The intermediate bar 41 is connected to the other ends of the two light control cords 42, and is suspended from the head box 2 so as to be located between the head box 2 and the bottom rail 31 in the up-down direction, and is a member formed to be long in the left-right direction.

[0015] The screen 33 is a shielding member whose upper end is connected to the underside of the intermediate bar 41 and whose lower end is connected to the upper surface of the bottom rail 31, is formed in a pleat shape that can be folded up and down, and through which the two lift-down cords 32 are partially inserted in the vertical direction. The screen 43 is a shielding member whose upper end is connected to the underside of the head box 2 and whose lower end is connected to the upper surface of the intermediate bar 41, is formed in a pleat shape that can be folded up and down, and through which the two light control cords 42 are partially inserted in the vertical direction.

[0016] The first motor 203A drives the bottom rail 31 to move up and down by rotating the first drive shaft 201A. The second motor 203B drives the intermediate bar 41 to move up and down by rotating the second drive shaft 201B. Each of the first motor 203A and the second motor 203B is provided with an encoder capable of detecting the amount of rotation, the direction of rotation, and the speed of rotation. The power supply unit 204 supplies power obtained via an outlet plug 205 led out to the outside of the head box 2 to the first motor 203A, the second motor 203B, and the control device 3. The control device 3 controls the direction of rotation and the speed of rotation of the first motor 203A and the second motor 203B, as will be described later in detail, to control the lifting and lowering of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41.

[0017] (Configuration of the operation device) The configuration of the operation device will be described below. Figures 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams showing the configurations of the first and second operation devices, respectively.

[0018] 3, the first operating device 4A is connected by wire or wirelessly to the motorized shading device 1, specifically the control device 3, so as to be able to communicate with it, and transmits to the control device 3 control signals (operation signals) indicating operation instructions relating to the lifting and lowering control of the bottom rail 31 and the middle bar 41. The first operating device 4A includes a bottom rail up switch 401, a bottom rail down switch 402, a full stop switch 403, a middle bar up switch 411, and a middle bar down switch 412.

[0019] When the bottom rail up switch 401 is pressed, an individual up signal is sent to raise the bottom rail 31. When the bottom rail down switch 402 is pressed, an individual down signal is sent to lower the bottom rail 31. When the full stop switch 403 is pressed, a full stop signal is sent to stop the raising and lowering of the bottom rail 31 and middle bar 41. When the middle bar up switch 411 is pressed, an individual up signal is sent to raise the middle bar 41. When the middle bar down switch 412 is pressed, an individual down signal is sent to lower the middle bar 41.

[0020] Furthermore, when the bottom rail up switch 401 is pressed for a predetermined period of time, a collective approach signal is transmitted to move the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 in a direction approaching each other, that is, the bottom rail 31 rises and the intermediate bar 41 falls. Therefore, the collective approach signal can be said to be a signal that drives the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 collectively in different directions, and drives the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 to approach each other. This collective approach signal may be transmitted when the bottom rail up switch 401 and the intermediate bar down switch 412 are pressed simultaneously or approximately simultaneously, and the type of switch to be pressed for a long period of time and the combination of multiple switches can be set appropriately. The collective approach signal may also be transmitted when a dedicated collective input switch provided separately is pressed.

[0021] In addition, when the bottom rail lowering switch 402 is pressed for a predetermined time, a collective separation signal is transmitted to move the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 in a direction away from each other, that is, the bottom rail 31 is lowered and the intermediate bar 41 is raised. Therefore, the collective separation signal can be said to be a signal that drives the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 collectively in different directions from each other, and drives the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 to move away from each other. This collective separation signal may be transmitted when the bottom rail lowering switch 402 and the intermediate bar raising switch 411 are pressed simultaneously or approximately simultaneously, and the type of switch to be pressed for a long time and the combination of multiple switches can be set appropriately. In addition, the collective separation signal may be transmitted when a dedicated collective input switch provided separately is pressed. In the following description, the first operating device 4A and the second operating device 4B are not distinguished from each other, and are collectively referred to as the operating device 4.

[0022] In this embodiment, the collective approach signal or collective separation signal is transmitted by the switch operation described above, but this is not necessarily limited to this example. For example, when a control unit (not shown) connected to the control device 3 detects the switch operation described above, it may determine that the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 should be raised or lowered so as to approach or separate from each other in response to the switch operation.

[0023] 4, the second operating device 4B is wired or wirelessly connected to at least one control device 3 provided in at least one powered shading device 1 so as to be able to communicate with each other, and is different from the first operating device 4A in that it further includes a selection switch group 50. The selection switch group 50 includes, as a means for transmitting a control signal, eight switches for individually designating specific powered shading devices 1, and one switch for designating all powered shading devices 1 connected to the second operating device 4B.

[0024] The above-mentioned control signals transmitted by the first operating device 4A and the second operating device 4B may be transmitted by a central control device communicatively connected to at least one or more of the motorized shading devices 1. In the following description, the first operating device 4A and the second operating device 4B will not be distinguished from each other, and will be collectively referred to as the operating device 4. The above-mentioned various control signals may be contact signals or commands.

[0025] (Control device configuration) The hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the control device will be described below. Figures 5 and 6 are block diagrams showing the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the control device, respectively.

[0026] 5, the control device 3 includes, as hardware, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311, a memory 312, and an input / output IF (Interface) 313. The CPU 311 and the memory 312 cooperate to execute various functions. The input / output IF 313 inputs and outputs data to and from the first motor 203A, the second motor 203B, and the operation device 4, which are communicatively connected to the control device 3.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 3 includes a signal receiving unit 301, a state determining unit 302, and an elevation control unit 303 as functions.

[0028] The signal receiving unit 301 receives a control signal transmitted by the operating device 4. The state determining unit 302 determines the control target and type of the control signal received by the signal receiving unit 301. The control targets include the bottom rail 31, the intermediate bar 41, or the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41. The types include an individual up signal and an individual down signal targeted at the bottom rail 31 or the intermediate bar 41, a collective approach signal and a collective separation signal targeted at the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41, and a total stop signal. For simplicity, the following description will not consider the total stop signal. The state determining unit 302 also determines the drive state of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41.

[0029] The lift control unit 303 controls the lifting and lowering of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41. The lift control unit 303 can drive the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 individually, in the same direction, or in directions different from each other, and drives either or both of the first motor 203A and the second motor 203B to lift and lower the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 in a direction based on a control signal.

[0030] (Control device operation) The operation of the control device will now be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device. This flowchart is executed at regular intervals.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, first, the state determination unit 302 determines whether or not a control signal has been received by the signal receiving unit 301 (S101), and if it is determined that a control signal has not been received (S101, NO), the state determination unit 302 again determines whether or not a control signal has been received by the signal receiving unit 301 (S101).

[0032] On the other hand, if a control signal is received (S101, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines whether the received control signal is a collective control signal indicating collective control (S102). The collective control signal here is a collective approach signal or a collective separation signal.

[0033] If the received control signal is a collective control signal (S102, YES), a collective control process described later is executed (S103). After execution, the state determination unit 302 again determines whether or not a control signal has been received by the signal receiving unit 301 (S101).

[0034] If the received control signal is not a collective control signal (S102, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines whether the received control signal is an intermediate bar control signal indicating individual control of the intermediate bar 41 (S104). The intermediate bar control signal here is an individual up signal or an individual down signal targeted at the intermediate bar 41.

[0035] If the received control signal is the intermediate bar control signal (S104, YES), the intermediate bar control process described later is executed (S105). After execution, the state determination unit 302 again determines whether or not the control signal has been received by the signal receiving unit 301 (S101).

[0036] On the other hand, if the received control signal is not a middle bar control signal (S104, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the received control signal is a bottom rail control signal indicating individual control of the bottom rail 31, and a bottom rail control process, which will be described later, is executed (S106). The bottom rail control signal here is an individual up signal or individual down signal targeted at the bottom rail 31. After execution, the state determination unit 302 again determines whether or not a control signal has been received by the signal receiving unit 301 (S101).

[0037] (Bulk control processing) The general control process will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG 8.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8, first, the state determination unit 302 determines whether the type of the received control signal is a collective separation signal (S201).

[0039] If the type of the received control signal is a collective separation signal (S201, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines whether or not both the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered (S202). In this determination, if the bottom rail 31 is located above the first lower limit position and the intermediate bar 41 is located below the second upper limit position, it is determined that both the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered. The first lower limit position is located at the lower end of the lifting range of the bottom rail 31, and the second upper limit position is located at the upper end of the lifting range of the intermediate bar 41.

[0040] The first lower limit position and the second upper limit position may be preset before the operation of the motorized shading device 1, or may be appropriately set after the start of use. Here, the lower end of the lifting range of the bottom rail 31 is the physical lower limit position of the bottom rail 31, and the upper end of the lifting range of the intermediate bar 41 is the physical upper limit position of the intermediate bar 41. The physical limits here refer to the winding and unwinding limits of the lifting cord 32 and the dimmer cord 42 on the first and second winding drums 202A and 202B. The state determination unit 302 determines the vertical positions of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 based on the outputs of the encoders of the first motor 203A and the second motor 203B, respectively.

[0041] If it is determined that both the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered (S202, YES), the lifting control unit 303 starts collective separation drive of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 (S203), and this flow ends. Collective separation drive is a drive in which the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are raised and lowered collectively, i.e., approximately simultaneously, in different directions, in which the bottom rail 31 is driven downward to a first lower limit position, and the intermediate bar 41 is driven upward to a second upper limit position. The collective separation drive will be described below with reference to Figs. 9 to 11.

[0042] 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the collective separation drive. When the collective separation drive is performed in a state in which the bottom rail 31 is not at the first lower limit position and the intermediate bar 41 is not at the second upper limit position as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom rail 31 descends and the intermediate bar 41 ascends as shown in FIG. 10. When this collective separation drive is continued, the bottom rail 31 reaches the first lower limit position and the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second upper limit position as shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, compared to the case in which each is individually driven up and down, the screen 43 can be folded up and fully closed by the screen 33 with all the screens 33 unfolded extremely quickly.

[0043] This collective separation drive continues until the bottom rail 31 reaches the first lower limit position and the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second upper limit position, but may be stopped if a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101.

[0044] 8, if it is determined in step S202 that at least one of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 cannot be raised and lowered (S202, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines whether or not either one of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered (S204). In this determination, if the bottom rail 31 is located above the first lower limit position or if the intermediate bar 41 is located below the second upper limit position, it is determined that either one of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered.

[0045] If either the bottom rail 31 or the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered (S204, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts lifting and lowering the one that can be raised and lowered (S205), and this flow ends. For example, if the bottom rail 31 is located at the first lower limit position and the intermediate bar 41 is located below the second upper limit position, the bottom rail 31 is not driven and only the intermediate bar 41 is driven to rise to the second upper limit position.

[0046] On the other hand, if both the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 cannot be raised and lowered (S204, NO), it is determined that the bottom rail 31 is located at the first lower limit position and the intermediate bar 41 is located at the second upper limit position, and this flow ends without these being raised and lowered.

[0047] In step S201, if the type of the received control signal is not a collective separation signal (S201, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the type of the received control signal is a collective approach signal, and determines whether the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can approach each other (S206). In this determination, if the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are separated by a predetermined approach limit distance or more, the bottom rail 31 is located below the first upper limit position, and the intermediate bar 41 is located above the second lower limit position, it is determined that the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can approach each other. The first upper limit position is located at the upper end of the lifting range of the bottom rail 31, and the second lower limit position is located at the lower end of the lifting range of the intermediate bar 41.

[0048] These first upper limit position and second lower limit position may be preset before operation of the motorized shading device 1, or may be appropriately set after the start of use. Note that here, the upper end of the lifting range of the bottom rail 31 is set as the physical upper limit position of the bottom rail 31, and the lower end of the lifting range of the intermediate bar 41 is set as the physical lower limit position of the intermediate bar 41. Also, the predetermined approach limit distance here corresponds to the folding allowance when the screen 33 is folded to the maximum, and is the distance when the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are closest to each other.

[0049] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can approach each other (S206, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts collective approach drive of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 (S207), and this flow ends. Conversely to the collective separation drive described above, the collective approach drive drives the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 to move up and down collectively, i.e., approximately simultaneously, in a direction toward each other, and the bottom rail 31 is driven upward and the intermediate bar 41 is driven downward until the distance between the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reaches the approach limit distance. The collective approach drive will be described below with reference to Figs. 12 to 14.

[0050] 12 to 14 are diagrams for explaining the collective approach drive. When the collective approach drive is performed in a state in which the bottom rail 31 is not at the first upper limit position, the intermediate bar 41 is not at the second lower limit position, and the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are spaced apart by more than the approach limit distance as shown in FIG. 12, the bottom rail 31 rises and the intermediate bar 41 falls as shown in FIG. 13. When the collective approach drive is continued until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance, the distance between the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reaches the approach limit distance D as shown in FIG. 14, and the lifting and lowering drive of each is stopped. Therefore, compared to the case in which each is individually driven to rise and fall, the folding of the screen 33 and the unfolding of the screen 43 can be performed extremely quickly.

[0051] This collective approach drive continues until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. Even if the bottom rail 31 reaches the first upper limit position or the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second lower limit position, the lifting drive of the one that has not yet reached the approach limit distance may be continued until the approach limit distance is reached. It is also preferable that the state determination unit 302 determines the positions of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 at regular intervals until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance.

[0052] Returning to Fig. 8, if it is determined in step S206 that the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are not able to approach each other (S206, NO), this flow ends. Note that, in this determination, if the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are spaced apart by the approach limit distance or more but the bottom rail 31 is in the first upper limit position, the intermediate bar 41 may be driven downward until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance. Similarly, if the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are spaced apart by the approach limit distance or more but the intermediate bar 41 is in the second lower limit position, the bottom rail 31 may be driven upward until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance.

[0053] (Intermediate bar control processing) The intermediate bar control process will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG 15.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 15, first, the status determination unit 302 determines whether the bottom rail 31 is in operation, for example, by receiving an individual up signal or an individual down signal targeted at the bottom rail 31 as a control signal from the signal receiving unit 301 (S301).

[0055] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 is in operation (S301, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines whether the bottom rail 31 is being driven to rise (S302).

[0056] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 is being driven upward (S302, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines whether the type of the received middle bar control signal is an individual down signal (S303).

[0057] When it is determined that the type of the received intermediate bar control signal is an individual lowering signal (S303, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines that the individual lowering signal is a signal that drives the intermediate bar 41 to lower in a direction different from the moving direction of the bottom rail 31, and determines whether the intermediate bar 41 can be driven to lower (S304). In this determination, when the intermediate bar 41 is located above the second lower limit position and above the position of the bottom rail 31 by the approach limit distance or more, it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be driven to lower.

[0058] If it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be driven downward (S304, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the intermediate bar 41 downward (S305) while maintaining the upward drive to the first upper limit position of the bottom rail 31, and this flow ends. This downward drive is continued until the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second lower limit position or until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. It is also preferable that the state determination unit 302 determines the positions of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 at regular intervals until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance. On the other hand, if it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 cannot be driven downward (S304, NO), this flow ends.

[0059] In step S303, if it is determined that the type of the received intermediate bar control signal is not an individual down signal (S303, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the type of the control signal is an individual up signal, and determines whether the intermediate bar 41 can be driven upward (S306). In this determination, if the intermediate bar 41 is located below the second upper limit position, it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be driven upward.

[0060] If it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be driven upward (S306, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the intermediate bar 41 upward (S307), and this flow ends. This upward driving continues until the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second upper limit position, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 cannot be driven upward (S306, NO), this flow ends.

[0061] In step S302, if it is determined that the bottom rail 31 is not being driven upward (S302, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the bottom rail 31 is being driven downward, and determines whether the type of the received intermediate bar control signal is an individual up signal (S308).

[0062] When it is determined that the type of the received intermediate bar control signal is an individual up signal (S308, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines that the individual up signal is a signal for driving the intermediate bar 41 to rise in a direction different from the moving direction of the bottom rail 31, and determines whether or not the intermediate bar 41 can be driven to rise (S309). In this determination, when the intermediate bar 41 is located below the second upper limit position, it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be driven to rise.

[0063] If it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be raised (S309, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts raising the intermediate bar 41 while maintaining the lowering drive to the first lower limit position of the bottom rail 31 (S310), and this flow ends. This raising drive continues until the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second upper limit position, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 cannot be raised (S309, NO), this flow ends.

[0064] In step S308, if it is determined that the type of the received intermediate bar control signal is not an individual up signal (S308, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the type of the intermediate bar control signal is an individual down signal, and determines whether the intermediate bar 41 can be driven downward (S311). In this determination, if the intermediate bar 41 is located above the second lower limit position, it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be driven downward.

[0065] If it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be driven downward (S311, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the intermediate bar 41 downward (S312), and this flow ends. This downward driving continues until the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second lower limit position, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 cannot be driven downward (S311, NO), this flow ends.

[0066] In step S301, when it is determined that the bottom rail 31 is not in operation (S301, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines whether the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered (S313). This determination is made when the type of the intermediate bar control signal is an individual up signal and the intermediate bar 41 is located below the second upper limit position, or when the type of the intermediate bar control signal is an individual down signal and the intermediate bar 41 is located above the second lower limit position and above the position of the bottom rail 31 by the approach limit distance or more.

[0067] If it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 can be raised and lowered (S313, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the intermediate bar 41 to be raised and lowered based on the control signal (S314), and this flow ends. This lifting and lowering drive continues until the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second upper limit position when it is raised, and until it reaches the second lower limit position when it is lowered, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 cannot be raised and lowered (S313, NO), this flow ends.

[0068] (Bottom rail control processing) The bottom rail control process will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG 16.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 16, first, the state determination unit 302 determines whether the intermediate bar 41 is in operation, for example, by receiving an individual up signal or an individual down signal for the intermediate bar 41 as a control signal from the signal receiving unit 301 (S401).

[0070] When it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 is in operation (S401, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines whether or not the intermediate bar 41 is being driven downward (S402).

[0071] If it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 is being driven downward (S402, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines whether the type of the received bottom rail control signal is an individual up signal (S403).

[0072] If it is determined that the type of the received bottom rail control signal is an individual up signal (S403, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines that the individual up signal is a signal that drives the bottom rail 31 to rise in a direction different from the movement direction of the intermediate bar 41, and determines whether the bottom rail 31 can be driven to rise (S404). In this determination, if the bottom rail 31 is located below the first upper limit position and is located below the position of the intermediate bar 41 by the approach limit distance or more, it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be driven to rise.

[0073] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be driven upward (S404, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the bottom rail 31 upward while maintaining the downward drive of the intermediate bar 41 to the second lower limit position (S405), and this flow ends. This upward drive continues until the bottom rail 31 reaches the first upper limit position or until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. It is also preferable that the state determination unit 302 determines the positions of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 at regular intervals until the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 reach the approach limit distance. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bottom rail 31 cannot be driven upward (S404, NO), this flow ends.

[0074] In step S403, if it is determined that the type of the received bottom rail control signal is not an individual up signal (S403, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the type of the bottom rail control signal is an individual down signal, and determines whether the bottom rail 31 can be driven downward (S406). In this determination, if the bottom rail 31 is located above the first lower limit position, it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be driven downward.

[0075] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be driven downward (S406, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the bottom rail 31 downward (S407), and this flow ends. This downward driving continues until the bottom rail 31 reaches the first lower limit position, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bottom rail 31 cannot be driven downward (S406, NO), this flow ends.

[0076] In step S402, if it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 is not being driven downward (S402, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the intermediate bar 41 is being driven upward, and determines whether the type of the received bottom rail control signal is an individual downward signal (S408).

[0077] If it is determined that the type of the received bottom rail control signal is an individual lowering signal (S408, YES), the state determination unit 302 determines that the individual lowering signal is a signal that drives the bottom rail 31 to lower in a direction different from the moving direction of the intermediate bar 41, and determines whether the bottom rail 31 can be driven downward (S409). In this determination, if the bottom rail 31 is located above the first lower limit position, it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be driven downward.

[0078] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be driven downward (S409, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the bottom rail 31 downward while maintaining the upward drive of the intermediate bar 41 to the second upper limit position (S410), and this flow ends. This downward drive continues until the bottom rail 31 reaches the first lower limit position, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bottom rail 31 cannot be driven downward (S409, NO), this flow ends.

[0079] In step S408, if it is determined that the type of the received bottom rail control signal is not an individual lowering signal (S408, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines that the type of the bottom rail control signal is an individual raising signal, and determines whether the bottom rail 31 can be driven upward (S411). In this determination, if the bottom rail 31 is located below the first upper limit position and is separated from the intermediate bar 41 by the approach limit distance or more, it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be driven upward.

[0080] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be raised (S411, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the bottom rail 31 upward (S412), and this flow ends. This upward driving continues until the bottom rail 31 reaches the first upper limit position, but may be stopped when a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bottom rail 31 cannot be raised (S411, NO), this flow ends.

[0081] In step S401, if it is determined that the intermediate bar 41 is not in operation (S401, NO), the state determination unit 302 determines whether the bottom rail 31 can be raised and lowered (S413). This determination is made if the bottom rail 31 is located below the first upper limit position and is located below the position of the intermediate bar 41 by the approach limit distance or more when the bottom rail control signal is an individual up signal, or if the bottom rail 31 is located above the first lower limit position when the bottom rail control signal is an individual down signal.

[0082] If it is determined that the bottom rail 31 can be raised and lowered (S413, YES), the lift control unit 303 starts driving the bottom rail 31 to be raised and lowered based on the bottom rail control signal (S414), and this flow ends. This lift drive continues until the bottom rail 31 reaches the first upper limit position when it is raised, and until it reaches the first lower limit position when it is lowered, but may be stopped if a different control signal is received in the processing of step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the bottom rail 31 cannot be raised and lowered (S413, NO), this flow ends.

[0083] (Modification) In the present embodiment, the lifting and lowering of the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 is continued until the first and second upper limit positions and the first and second lower limit positions, which are the upper and lower ends of each lifting range, are reached, but this is not limited to this. An intermediate position between each of the upper limit position and the lower limit position may be set as a preset position (stop position), and when at least the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are lifted and lowered in different directions, the lifting and lowering may be stopped when either of them reaches the preset position.

[0084] 17 to 19 are diagrams for explaining the collective separation drive according to this modified example, and Figs. 20 to 22 are diagrams for explaining the collective approach drive according to this modified example. When the collective separation drive is started in a case where a preset position is set in the lifting range of the intermediate bar 41, the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are first driven to move up and down in a direction away from each other from the state shown in Fig. 17. As shown in Fig. 18, the preset position P1 is a position slightly lower than the maximum raised position, so the intermediate bar 41 stops at the preset position P1 first. On the other hand, the bottom rail 31 has not yet reached the first lower limit position, which is the maximum lowered position, so it continues to be driven downward as shown in Fig. 19.

[0085] In addition, when a preset position is set within the lifting range of the intermediate bar 41 and within the lifting range of the bottom rail 31, when the collective approach drive is started, the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are first driven to move up and down in a direction approaching each other from the state shown in Fig. 20. As shown in Fig. 21, the preset position P1 of the intermediate bar 41 is a position slightly below its maximum lift position, and the preset position P2 of the bottom rail 31 is a position close to and below that, so that the intermediate bar 41 stops at the preset position P1 first. On the other hand, the bottom rail 31 stops at the preset position P2 with a delay, as shown in Fig. 22. In Fig. 22, the distance between the preset positions P1 and P2 is set to the approach limit distance D plus the thickness of the bottom rail 31.

[0086] As described above, according to the motorized shading device 1 of this embodiment, the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be driven to move up and down in different directions, and therefore the screen 43, which is the upper shielding material, and the screen 33, which is the lower shielding material, can be simultaneously moved up and down in different directions. For example, when the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are moved away from each other, the screen 43 is folded up and the screen 33 is fully unfolded and in a fully closed state. When the screen 43 is made of a semi-transparent fabric or an opaque fabric, an opening such as a window can be quickly shielded. Also, when the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 are moved closer to each other, the screen 33 is in a folded up state. Therefore, if the screen 43 is made of a semi-transparent fabric, the view can be improved, and it can be quickly adopted as a form advantageous for a usage scene, such as ventilation from below the bottom rail 31 or introduction of solar radiation heat. This is also true in a scene where the screen 43 is made of an opaque material and the screen 33 is made of a transparent material to block views from the outside while allowing external light in from below the bottom rail 31.

[0087] Moreover, according to the motorized shading device 1 of this embodiment, the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be moved away from or toward each other in different directions by a single operation. The single operation can be performed by pressing the switches of the first operating device 4A and the second operating device 4B for a certain period of time or by pressing the number of switches, and therefore the operation is extremely simple. Even if either the bottom rail 31 or the intermediate bar 41 is being driven to move up and down, the other can be driven to move up and down in a different direction without impeding the driving of the other. Therefore, the time required to reach the desired shape can be shortened compared to the case of driving the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 up and down individually.

[0088] In addition, when the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 approach each other, they are stopped within a preset approach limit distance, so that it is possible to prevent them from approaching too close. In addition, since the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 can be stopped at any position by setting a preset position, it is possible to set them in a desired state suitable for the method of use and the environment of use, and it is highly convenient.

[0089] In this embodiment, the bottom rail 31 and the intermediate bar 41 may be raised and lowered at substantially the same preset speed, or at different speeds. In the latter case, for example, a speed difference may be provided so that the timing at which the bottom rail 31 reaches the first upper limit position and the timing at which the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second lower limit position are substantially the same, or a speed difference may be provided so that the timing at which the bottom rail 31 reaches the first lower limit position and the timing at which the intermediate bar 41 reaches the second upper limit position are substantially the same. This makes it possible to reduce the lifting speed of at least one of them to reduce power consumption and to achieve quieter operation sounds, or to increase the lifting speed of at least one of them to shorten the time required for lifting control.

[0090] In this embodiment, the pleated screen equipped with two types of screens is used as the motorized shading device 1, but it is sufficient if it is equipped with two shading materials connected in the vertical direction and can be electrically raised and lowered. An example of such a motorized shading device 1 is a blind equipped with two slat groups connected in the vertical direction, each of which includes a plurality of slats.

[0091] The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as being limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited to the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications, various improvements, substitutions and alterations within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Electric shielding device 3. Control device 31 Bottom rail (first moving member) 33 Screen (lower shielding material) 301 Signal receiving unit (receiving unit) 303 Lift control unit (control unit) 4A First operating device (input / output unit) 4B Second operating device (input / output unit) 41 Intermediate bar (second moving member) 44 Screen (upper shielding material)

Claims

1. A control device controls an electric shading device capable of independently raising and lowering a first moving member provided below a lower one of two shading members provided in a vertically connected arrangement, and a second moving member provided between an upper one of the two shading members and the lower one, The control device includes a control unit that can drive the first and second moving members in different directions. A control device comprising:

2. a receiving unit capable of receiving an operation signal for driving the first and second moving members in mutually different directions, The control unit drives the first and second moving members in different directions based on the operation signal received by the receiving unit.

2. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit drives the first and second moving members collectively in different directions based on a signal for collectively driving the first and second moving members in different directions, the signal being received as the operation signal by the receiving unit.

3. The control device according to claim 2.

4. When one of the first and second moving members is being driven, the control unit maintains driving of the one moving member and drives the other moving member in a direction different from the moving direction of the one moving member, based on a signal for driving the other of the first and second moving members in a direction different from the moving direction of the one moving member, the signal being received as the operation signal by the receiving unit.

4. The control device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The control unit drives the first moving member upward and drives the second moving member downward based on a signal for driving the first and second moving members to approach each other, the signal being received as the operation signal by the receiving unit. The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The control unit drives the first moving member downward and drives the second moving member upward based on a signal for driving the first and second moving members to move away from each other, the signal being received as the operation signal by the receiving unit. The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. an input / output unit that is provided with a plurality of input units including a pair of first input units, one of which receives an input for raising the first moving member and the other of which receives an input for lowering the first moving member, and a pair of second input units, one of which receives an input for raising the second moving member and the other of which receives an input for lowering the second moving member, and that outputs the operation signal to the receiving unit when any of the plurality of input units is pressed for a predetermined period of time or longer, when two or more of the plurality of input units are pressed simultaneously, or when a collective input unit is included in the plurality of input units and the collective input unit is pressed The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising:

8. The control unit, when driving the first moving member upward and driving the second moving member downward, drives the first moving member and the second moving member so as to approach each other until a distance between the first moving member and the second moving member becomes a predetermined distance. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. When the control unit drives the first moving member downward and drives the second moving member upward, the control unit drives the first moving member downward to a lower limit position and drives the second moving member upward to an upper limit position. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. When the first and second moving members are driven in directions different from each other, the lifting and lowering drive of at least one of the first and second moving members is stopped at a stop position set between an upper limit position and a lower limit position of the moving member. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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