Cord Winding Assembly, Actuation System and Window Shade

Abstract

A cord winding assembly for a window shade includes a housing, first and second spool portions connected to first and second suspension cords, respectively, and a transmission axle, the first and second spool portions disposed within a cavity of the housing, the transmission axle is rotatably coupled to the first and second spool portions and extends outside the housing at least at one end thereof, and the transmission axle and the first and second spool portions are simultaneously rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction for winding the first and second suspension cords around the first and second spool portions, respectively, and in a second direction opposite the first direction for unwinding the first and second suspension cords from the first and second spool portions, respectively.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 171,344, filed April 6, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a window shade and a cord winding assembly and actuation system for use with a window shade. [Background technology]

[0003] Certain commercially available window shades are equipped with electric motors that allow the shade to be conveniently raised and lowered. The electric motor and its power source may be located in a head rail that is attached to the top of the window frame. The electric motor is coupled to a number of cord take-up units, each of which has one suspension cord that is secured to the bottom rail of the window shade.

[0004] The above arrangement is not compact and it is not suitable for window shades which have more complex structures, such as window shades which include two adjustable rails. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application describes a cord winding assembly and actuation system for window shades that is compact and easy to install and can address at least the aforementioned challenges.

[0006] According to one aspect, a cord winding assembly for a window shade includes a housing, first and second spool portions connected to first and second suspension cords, respectively, and a transmission axle. The housing has opposed first and second ends and a cavity between the first and second ends. The first and second spool portions are disposed within the housing cavity. The transmission axle is rotatably coupled to the first and second spool portions and extends outside the housing at least at the first end of the housing, and the transmission axle and the first and second spool portions are simultaneously rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction for winding the first and second suspension cords around the first and second spool portions, respectively, and in a second direction opposite the first direction for unwinding the first and second suspension cords from the first and second spool portions, respectively.

[0007] In another aspect, the present application describes an actuation system for a window shade. According to one embodiment, the actuation system for a window shade includes an electric motor unit and a cord take-up assembly, the electric motor unit coupled to a transmission axle of the cord take-up assembly such that the electric motor unit is operable to rotatably drive the transmission axle. According to one embodiment, the window shade includes a head rail, a bottom rail, and the actuation system assembled to the head rail, and first and second suspension cords are secured to the bottom rail.

[0008] According to another embodiment, an actuation system for a window shade includes an electric motor unit and two cord take-up assemblies disposed on either side of the electric motor unit, the electric motor units being respectively coupled to respective transmission axles of the two cord take-up assemblies. According to one embodiment, a window shade includes a head rail, a bottom rail, a mid-rail disposed between the head rail and the bottom rail, a shade structure disposed between the bottom rail and the mid-rail, and the aforementioned actuation system assembled to the head rail, wherein a first suspension cord and a second suspension cord of one of the two cord take-up assemblies are secured to the bottom rail, and a first suspension cord and a second suspension cord of the other of the two cord take-up assemblies are secured to the mid-rail. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a window shade. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the window shade shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cord winding assembly for a window shade. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing some structural details of the cord winding assembly shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of two spool portions in a casing portion of the cord winding assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the connection between one spool portion and the suspension cord in the cord winding assembly of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing some structural details provided on the underside of the cord winding assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a variation of an actuation system that includes an electric motor unit coupled to a single cord take-up assembly. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an alternative construction of a cord winding assembly for a window shade. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing some structural details of the cord winding assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 1] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a window shade including the cord winding assembly of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a window shade 100, and Figure 2 is an exploded view of the window shade 100. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the window shade 100 can include a head rail 102, a bottom rail 104, a mid-rail 106 disposed between the head rail 102 and the bottom rail 104, a shade structure 108 disposed between the bottom rail 104 and the mid-rail 106, and an actuation system 110.

[0011] The headrail 102 is attached to the top of a window frame and may have any desired shape. According to one example construction, the headrail 102 may have an elongated shape that includes a cavity for at least partially receiving the actuation system 110 of the window shade 100. For example, the headrail 102 may include a rail portion 112 having an interior cavity closed at either end by two end caps 114, and a cover 116 that is attached to the front of the rail portion 112.

[0012] The bottom rail 104 can be suspended from the head rail 102 by at least two suspension cords 118 and 120, which can have ends 118A and 120A, respectively, that are secured to the bottom rail 104. According to one example construction, the bottom rail 104 can have a channel adapted to receive the mounting portion of the shade structure 108.

[0013] The mid-rail 106 can be disposed between the head rail 102 and the bottom rail 104 and can be suspended from the head rail 102 by at least two other suspension cords 118 and 120, which can have ends 118B and 120B, respectively, secured to the mid-rail 106. The mid-rail 106 can have an elongated shape with channels adapted to receive the mounting portions of the shade structure 108. Additionally, a number of guide elements 122 can be provided on the mid-rail 106 to facilitate the passage of the suspension cords 118 and 120 secured to the bottom rail 104 through the mid-rail 106. The guide elements 122 can illustratively include grommets attached to the mid-rail 106.

[0014] The shade structure 108 can illustratively have a cellular structure, which may include, but is not limited to, a honeycomb structure. However, it will be understood that the shade structure 108 can have any suitable structure that is deployable and collapsible between the bottom rail 104 and the mid-rail 106. The shade structure 108 has two ends 108A and 108B disposed adjacent the mid-rail 106 and the bottom rail 104, respectively. For example, the end 108A of the shade structure 108 includes a strip 124 that engages with the mid-rail 106 to attach the end 108A of the shade structure 108 to the mid-rail 106, and the other end 108B of the shade structure 108 is similarly attached to the bottom rail 104 via a strip 126. Two end caps 128 may close both ends of the intermediate rail 106 to capture the strip 124 within the intermediate rail 106, and two end caps 130 may close both ends of the bottom rail 104 to capture the strip 126 within the bottom rail 104.

[0015] 1 and 2, each of the bottom rail 104 and mid-rail 106 is independently vertically movable relative to the head rail 102 to set the window shade 100 in a desired configuration. For example, the bottom rail 104 can be lowered away from the head rail 102 and mid-rail 106 to unfold the shade structure 108 or raised towards the head rail 102 and mid-rail 106 to collapse the shade structure 108. Additionally, the bottom rail 104 and mid-rail 106 can be lowered away from the head rail 102 to form a gap between the head rail 102 and mid-rail 106 for light to pass through. The vertical position of the bottom rail 104 and the vertical position of the mid-rail 106 relative to the head rail 102 can be controlled by an actuation system 110.

[0016] 1 and 2, an actuation system 110 is assembled to the head rail 102 and is operable to displace the bottom rail 104 and mid-rail 106 relative to the head rail 102 for adjustment. The actuation system 110 may include two cord take-up assemblies 132A and 132B, an electric motor unit 134, and a power source 136. The cord take-up assembly 132A is operable to take-up and unwind two suspension cords 118, 120 coupled to the bottom rail 104 for raising and lowering the bottom rail 104. The cord take-up assembly 132B is operable to take-up and unwind two other suspension cords 118, 120 coupled to the mid-rail 106 for raising and lowering the mid-rail 106.

[0017] The electric motor unit 134 is coupled to each of the two cord winding assemblies 132A, 132B and is electrically connectable to a power source 136. The electric motor unit 134 is operable to independently drive each of the two cord winding assemblies 132A, 132B. For example, the electric motor unit 134 may include two motors coupled to each of the two cord winding assemblies 132A, 132B, each of the two motors independently operable to drive a corresponding one of the two cord winding assemblies 132A, 132B. The power source 136 may be electrically connected to the electric motor unit 134 and may provide power for operating the electric motor unit 134. According to an example structure, the power source 136 may include a battery case 138 and a power adapter 140. The battery case 138 is configured to receive one or more battery cells and may be electrically connected or disconnected to the electric motor unit 134. The power adapter 140 can be plugged into a power outlet and can be electrically connected or disconnected from the electric motor unit 134. The electric motor unit 134 can be powered from the battery cells in the battery case 138 or via the power adapter 140 connected to a power outlet.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the two cord winding assemblies 132A and 132B can be disposed on either side of the electric motor unit 134, respectively. In relation to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cord winding assembly 132 for a window shade, and FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing some structural details of the cord winding assembly 132. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the two cord winding assemblies 132A and 132B can have the same configuration as the cord winding assembly 132 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cord winding assembly 132 can include a housing 142, a spool portion 144 connected to the suspension cord 118, a spool portion 146 connected to the suspension cord 120, and a transmission axle 148 rotatably coupled to the two spool portions 144 and 146.

[0019] The housing 142 may include two case portions 150A and 150B that are fixedly connectable to one another to at least partially define a cavity located between opposite ends 142A and 142B of the housing 142 and configured to receive the two spool portions 144 and 146. The housing 142 may include a number of mounting surfaces 152 that can support the two spool portions 144 and 146 for rotation about pivot axes 154 relative to the housing 142. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the two spool portions 144 and 146 disposed on the mounting surfaces 152 provided on the case portion 150A.

[0020] According to one example of configuration, the two spool parts 144 and 146 may be provided as two independent parts that can be positioned adjacent to each other in the housing 142. For example, the spool part 144 has two axially opposite spool ends 144A and 144B, the spool end 144B having a flange structure 156A, the spool part 146 has two axially opposite spool ends 146A and 146B, and the two spool parts 144 and 146 are positioned in the housing 142 with the two flange structures 156A and 156B engaging each other, such that the two spool parts 144 and 146 are rotationally locked to each other and can rotate simultaneously about the pivot axis 154. The above-mentioned configuration may facilitate assembly of the two spool parts 144 and 146. However, it will be understood that the two spool parts may be integrally formed as a single part.

[0021] The suspension cord 118 can be secured to the spool portion 144 adjacent the spool end 144B, and the suspension cord 120 can be secured to the spool portion 146 adjacent the spool end 146A. As shown in FIG. 6, the exterior surface of the spool portion 144 can have an opening 158 adjacent the spool end 144B, and the suspension cord 118 can be secured to the spool portion 144 by attaching an end of the suspension cord 118 through the opening 158. The suspension cord 120 can be similarly secured to the spool portion 146. The suspension cord 118 can be arranged to extend outwardly at an end 142A of the housing 142, and the suspension cord 120 can be arranged to extend outwardly at an opposite end 142B of the housing 142.

[0022] The transmission axle 148 is rotatably coupled to the two spool parts 144 and 146 such that the transmission axle 148 and the two spool parts 144 and 146 can simultaneously rotate relative to the housing 142 about the same pivot axis 154, which corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the transmission axle 148. For example, the spool end 144A of the spool part 144 can have a coupling part 160 with a square or rectangular hole that connects to the hollow interior of the spool part 144, and the spool end 146B of the spool part 146 can have a coupling part 164 with a square or rectangular hole that also connects to the hollow interior of the spool part 146. The transmission axle 148 can have a cross-sectional shape that matches the holes provided in the coupling parts 160 and 164. The transmission axle 148 can be disposed through the hollow interior of the spool portion 144 and the hollow interior of the spool portion 146, and can be rotatably coupled to the two spool portions 144 and 146 via two coupling portions 160 and 164, respectively. After assembly, the transmission axle 148 can extend through the two spool ends 144A and 144B of the spool portion 144 and the two spool ends 146A and 146B of the spool portion 146, and protrude outside the housing 142 at both ends 142A and 142B. The transmission axle 148 and the two spool sections 144 and 146 can simultaneously rotate about a pivot axis 154 relative to the housing 142 in a first direction to wind the two suspension cords 118 and 120 around the two spool sections 144 and 146, respectively, and in a second direction opposite to the first direction to unwind the two suspension cords 118 and 120 from the two spool sections 144 and 146, respectively.

[0023] 4 and 7, the cord take-up assembly 132 can further include two cord guards 168 and 170 attached to the housing 142 adjacent opposite ends 142A and 142B, respectively. The cord guard 168 can contact the suspension cord 118 where it exits the housing 142, and the cord guard 170 can contact the suspension cord 120 where it exits the housing 142. The two cord guards 168 and 170 can provide protection and can facilitate the passage of the two suspension cords 118 and 120.

[0024] 2-7, each of the two cord winding assemblies 132A and 132B can have the same structure as the cord winding assembly 132, and the electric motor unit 134 can be connected to the transmission axle 148 of the cord winding assembly 132A and the transmission axle 148 of the cord winding assembly 132B on both sides, respectively. In this way, the electric motor unit 134 can rotate and drive the transmission axles 148 of the cord winding assemblies 132A and 132B to move the bottom rail 104 and the intermediate rail 106 as desired. After assembly, one of the two suspension cords 118 and 120 of the cord winding assembly 132A can extend beyond the electric motor unit 134 and the cord winding assembly 132B along the head rail 102, so that the two suspension cords 118 and 120 of the cord winding assembly 132A can extend on both sides of the electric motor unit 134 to connect to the bottom rail 104. The two suspension cords 118 and 120 of the cord take-up assembly 132B may be similarly positioned to couple to the intermediate rail 106.

[0025] 1 and 2 show an example having two cord take-up assemblies 132A and 132B coupled to the bottom rail 104 and mid-rail 106, respectively, it will be understood that the configuration of the cord take-up assemblies 132 is not limited to the illustrated application. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a variation of the actuation system in which the electric motor unit 134 can be one single cord take-up assembly 132 that can be coupled to the bottom rail of a window shade that does not have a mid-rail. Thus, the cord take-up assembly 132 can be suitable for use with a variety of window shades.

[0026] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing an alternative structure of a cord take-up assembly 232 for a window shade, and Figure 10 is an exploded view of the cord take-up assembly 232. With reference to Figures 9 and 10, the cord take-up assembly 232 may include a housing 242, a spool portion 244 connected to the suspension cord 118 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 10), a spool portion 246 connected to the suspension cord 120 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 10), and a transmission axle 248 rotatably coupled to the two spool portions 244 and 246.

[0027] The housing 242 may include two case portions 250A and 250B that are fixedly connectable to one another to at least partially define a gap located between opposite ends 242A and 242B of the housing 242 and adapted to receive the two spool portions 244 and 246.

[0028] The spool portion 244 can be pivotally connected to the housing 242 about a pivot axis 252 such that the spool portion 244 can rotate relative to the housing 242 about the pivot axis 252A. The spool portion 246 can be pivotally connected to the housing 242 about a pivot axis 254 such that the spool portion 246 can rotate relative to the housing 242 about the pivot axis 254A, the pivot axes 252A and 254A being parallel and spaced apart from one another. The transmission axle 248 is rotatably disposed relative to the housing 242 about a pivot axis 256A that is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axes 252A and 254A, the pivot axis 256A corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the transmission axle 248. For example, the transmission axle 248 can have an end connected to a coupling 256 assembled to the housing 242 for rotation about the pivot axis 256A. Coupling 256 can be positioned adjacent end 242A of housing 242 and can illustratively have a square or rectangular hole that an end of transmission axle 248 engages to rotatably couple transmission axle 248 to coupling 256. After assembly, transmission axle 248 can extend outside of housing 242 at end 242A. Suspension cord 118 connected to spool portion 244 can be positioned to extend outside of housing 242 at end 242A, and suspension cord 120 connected to spool portion 246 can be positioned to extend outside of housing 242 at opposite end 242B.

[0029] 9 and 10, the transmission axle 248 is rotatably coupled to the two spool portions 244 and 246 via a gear train 260 that may include a number of gears 262, 264, 266, 268, and 270. The gear 262 is rotatably fixed to the spool portion 244 such that the gear 262 and the spool portion 244 can simultaneously rotate about the pivot axis 252A relative to the housing 242. The gear 264 is rotatably fixed to the spool portion 246 such that the gear 264 and the spool portion 246 can simultaneously rotate about the pivot axis 254A relative to the housing 242. The gear 266 is fixedly connected to the coupling portion 256 and is therefore rotatably fixed to the transmission axle 248 such that the gear 266 and the transmission axle 248 can simultaneously rotate about the pivot axis 256A relative to the housing 242. According to one example configuration, the gear 266 may be a bevel gear. The gear 268 is pivotally connected to the housing 242 about a pivot axis 272A and meshes with the gears 262 and 264, respectively. The gear 270 is pivotally connected to the housing 242 about a pivot axis 274A and meshes with the gears 262 and 266, respectively. The gear train 260 is configured such that the two spool sections 244 and 246 are driven by the transmission axle 248 and can simultaneously rotate in one direction (e.g., one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions) for winding the suspension cords 118 and 120, respectively, and in the other direction (e.g., the other of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions) for unwinding the suspension cords 118 and 120, respectively. Thus, the transmission axle 248 and the two spool sections 244 and 246 can simultaneously rotate relative to the housing 242 to wind and unwind the two suspension cords 118 and 120, respectively.

[0030] 9 and 10, the housing 242 may further include a number of cord guides 276 for guiding the suspension cords 118, 120 through the housing 242. Examples of cord guides 276 include, but are not limited to, pulleys.

[0031] 9 and 10, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a window shade 100 that employs two cord take-up assemblies 232A and 232B having the same structure as the previously described cord take-up assembly 232. With reference to FIGS. 9-11, an actuation system 110 is assembled to the head rail 102 and is operable to displace the bottom rail 104 and mid-rail 106 relative to the head rail 102. The actuation system 110 shown in FIG. 11 may be generally similar in configuration to the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 2, except that the two cord take-up assemblies 132A and 132B are replaced with two cord take-up assemblies 232A and 232B. Each of the two cord take-up assemblies 232A and 232B has the same configuration as the cord take-up assembly 232 described above with reference to Figures 9 and 10, with the two suspension cords 118 and 120 of the cord take-up assembly 232A being connectable to the bottom rail 104 and the two suspension cords 118 and 120 of the cord take-up assembly 232B being connectable to the mid-rail 106. The electric motor unit 134 is connectable on both sides to a transmission axle 248 of the cord take-up assembly 232A and a transmission axle 248 of the cord take-up assembly 232B, respectively, such that the electric motor unit 134 is operable to rotationally drive the transmission axle 248 of each of the cord take-up assemblies 232A and 232B to effect the desired rotational movement of the bottom rail 104 and the mid-rail 106.

[0032] Advantages of the construction described herein include the ability to provide a cord take-up assembly that is compact and can be used as a module that is easily attached to a window shade's actuation system.

[0033] Structural implementations are described only in the context of specific embodiments. These embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Thus, multiple instances may be provided for components described herein as single instances. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A cord winding assembly for a window shade, comprising: a housing having opposed first and second ends and a cavity between the first and second ends; a first spool portion connected to a first suspension cord and a second spool portion connected to a second suspension cord, the first spool portion and the second spool portion being disposed within a cavity of the housing; a transmission axle rotatably coupled to the first and second spool pieces and extending outside the housing at least at a first end of the housing, the transmission axle and the first and second spool pieces being simultaneously rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction for winding the first and second suspension cords around the first and second spool pieces, respectively, and in a second direction opposite the first direction for unwinding the first and second suspension cords from the first and second spool pieces, respectively; Including, the first spool portion has opposed first and second spool ends, the second spool portion has opposed third and fourth spool ends, the second spool end of the first spool portion having a first flange structure, and the third spool end of the second spool portion having a second flange structure that engages with the first flange structure to rotatably lock the first spool portion to the second spool portion; a cord take-up assembly, wherein the transmission axle extends through first and second spool ends of the first spool section and through third and fourth spool ends of the second spool section.

2. The cord take-up assembly of claim 1 , wherein the transmission axle, the first spool portion and the second spool portion are rotatable about a same pivot axis relative to the housing.

3. 3. The cord winding assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission axle is disposed through the hollow interior of the first spool portion and the hollow interior of the second spool portion.

4. 4. The cord winding assembly of claim 1, wherein the transmission axle protrudes outside the housing at a first end and a second end of the housing.

5. 5. The cord winding assembly of claim 1, wherein the first suspension cord is secured to the first spool portion adjacent the second spool end and the second suspension cord is secured to the second spool portion adjacent the third spool end.

6. A cord winding assembly for a window shade, comprising: a housing having opposed first and second ends and a cavity between the first and second ends; a first spool portion connected to a first suspension cord and a second spool portion connected to a second suspension cord, the first spool portion and the second spool portion being disposed within a cavity of the housing; a transmission axle rotatably coupled to the first and second spool pieces and extending outside the housing at least at a first end of the housing, the transmission axle and the first and second spool pieces being simultaneously rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction for winding the first and second suspension cords around the first and second spool pieces, respectively, and in a second direction opposite the first direction for unwinding the first and second suspension cords from the first and second spool pieces, respectively; Including, the first spool section has a first spool end and a second spool end opposite one another, the second spool section has a third spool end and a fourth spool end opposite one another, the second spool end of the first spool section is disposed adjacent to the third spool end of the second spool section, the first suspension cord is secured to the first spool section adjacent to the second spool end of the first spool section, and the second suspension cord is secured to the second spool section adjacent to the third spool end of the second spool section.

7. A cord winding assembly as described in claim 6, wherein a second spool end of the first spool portion has a first flange structure, and a third spool end of the second spool portion has a second flange structure that engages with the first flange structure to rotatably engage the first spool portion to the second spool portion.

8. A cord winding assembly as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein the transmission axle extends through a first spool end and a second spool end of the first spool portion and through a third spool end and a fourth spool end of the second spool portion.

9. A cord winding assembly for a window shade, comprising: a housing having opposed first and second ends and a cavity between the first and second ends; a first spool portion connected to a first suspension cord and a second spool portion connected to a second suspension cord, the first spool portion and the second spool portion being disposed within a cavity of the housing; a transmission axle rotatably coupled to the first and second spool pieces and extending outside the housing at least at a first end of the housing, the transmission axle and the first and second spool pieces being simultaneously rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction for winding the first and second suspension cords around the first and second spool pieces, respectively, and in a second direction opposite the first direction for unwinding the first and second suspension cords from the first and second spool pieces, respectively; Including, the first spool section has a first spool end and a second spool end opposite each other, the second spool section has a third spool end and a fourth spool end opposite each other, the second spool end of the first spool section is rotatably engaged to the third spool end of the second spool section, and the transmission axle is rotatably engaged with the first spool end of the first spool section and is rotatably engaged with the fourth spool end of the second spool section.

10. A cord winding assembly as described in claim 9, wherein a second spool end of the first spool portion has a first flange structure, and a third spool end of the second spool portion has a second flange structure that engages with the first flange structure to rotatably engage the first spool portion to the second spool portion.

11. A cord winding assembly as described in claim 9 or 10, wherein the transmission axle extends through a first spool end and a second spool end of the first spool portion and through a third spool end and a fourth spool end of the second spool portion.

12. A cord winding assembly as described in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first suspension cord is fixed to the first spool portion adjacent to a second spool end of the first spool portion, and the second suspension cord is fixed to the second spool portion adjacent to a third spool end of the second spool portion.

13. A cord winding assembly for a window shade, comprising: a housing having opposed first and second ends and a cavity between the first and second ends; a first spool portion connected to a first suspension cord and a second spool portion connected to a second suspension cord, the first spool portion and the second spool portion being disposed within a cavity of the housing; a transmission axle rotatably coupled to the first and second spool pieces via a gear train and extending outside the housing at least at a first end of the housing, the transmission axle and the first and second spool pieces being simultaneously rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction for winding the first and second suspension cords around the first and second spool pieces, respectively, and in a second direction opposite the first direction for unwinding the first and second suspension cords from the first and second spool pieces, respectively; Including, the gear train includes a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a fourth gear, and a fifth gear, the first gear being rotatably engaged to the first spool portion such that the first gear and the first spool portion can simultaneously rotate about a first pivot axis, the second gear being rotatably engaged to the second spool portion such that the second gear and the second spool portion can simultaneously rotate about a second pivot axis, the third gear being rotatably engaged to the transmission axle such that the third gear and the transmission axle can simultaneously rotate about a third pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis, the fourth gear meshing with each of the first gear and the second gear, and the fifth gear meshing with each of the first gear and the third gear.

14. The cord winding assembly of claim 13 , wherein the third gear is a bevel gear.

15. 15. An actuation system comprising an electric motor unit and a cord winding assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the electric motor unit is coupled to the transmission axle of the cord winding assembly such that the electric motor unit is operable to rotatably drive the transmission axle.

16. A head rail and a bottom rail; An actuation system according to claim 15; 1. A window shade comprising: The window shade, wherein the actuation system is mounted to the head rail, and the first suspension cord and the second suspension cord are secured to the bottom rail.

17. 15. An actuation system comprising an electric motor unit and two cord winding assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 14 arranged on either side of the electric motor unit, the electric motor unit being respectively connected to a transmission axle of each of the two cord winding assemblies.

18. A window shade, comprising: a head rail, a bottom rail, an intermediate rail disposed between the head rail and the bottom rail, and a shade structure disposed between the bottom rail and the intermediate rail; An actuation system according to claim 17; Including, A window shade, wherein the actuation system is assembled to the head rail, a first suspension cord and a second suspension cord of one of the two cord take-up assemblies are secured to the bottom rail, and a first suspension cord and a second suspension cord of the other of the two cord take-up assemblies are secured to the mid rail.

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