Actuation system for a motorized movable blind

Abstract

An actuation system for a motorized mobile blind (2) comprises: - an electric motor unit (12) suitable for moving the movable blind (2); - an inclination sensor (20) suitable for detecting the inclination of a tiltable door or window leaf, whereto the movable blind is integral, with respect to the vertical axis (Y); and - motor inhibition means (22) operatively connected to the inclination sensor (20) and suitable for inhibiting the movement of the movable blind (2) when the leaf inclination detected by the inclination sensor (20) exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Description

ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR A MOTORIZED MOVABLE BLINDDESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuation system for a motori zed movable blind, in particular a double glazed blind .

[0002] Motori zed movable blinds are those blinds that may be conveyed, by a driving apparatus , from a fully raised, packaged, or retracted position to a fully extended, lowered, or unfolded position, and vice versa .

[0003] Examples of motori zed movable blinds are : Venetian blinds , fabric blinds , pleated blinds , roller blinds , panel blinds , vertical blinds , double-pleated blinds , retractable sheets of darkening film or any other sunscreen or darkening blind .

[0004] In the present description, the term "movable blind" or "movable motorized blind" is to be understood as referring, without distinction, to all of the types of blinds described above .

[0005] The movement of a blind usually occurs by means of an actuation system that comprises an electric motor (be it brushed, brushless or other type ) , a shaft , located inside the upper box of the blind, wherein the rotation thereof is generated by the rotation of the motor, and a group of cords .

[0006] One end of the cords is fastened to the shaft so as to wrap around it ; the other end of the cords is fastenedto the bottom of the blind . The bottom is raised or lowered according to the direction of rotation of the shaft .

[0007] In particular, the upward movement of the bottom ( and therefore of the blind) is responsible for the rotation of the motor, whilst the downward movement is responsible , in part due to the rotation of the motor, in part due to the force of gravity, which allows the cords to stretch and move the bottom to the lowest position envisaged .

[0008] An alternative movement system, considered to be functionally similar, is that wherein the cord is wound in coils on components called cones which rotate integrally with the rotation shaft .

[0009] As is well known, moreover, many windows or doorwindows , including those with a motori zed movable blind, also with double glazing, obj ect of the present exhibition, are designed to incline with respect to the vertical plane of the compartment wherein they are installed, i . e . , to be opened in a so-called "vasistas" or " inclined leaf" mode .

[0010] The proposed actuation system is particularly, although not exclusively, suitable for movable double glazing blinds .

[0011] Movable double glazing blinds are already known and appreciated . The double glazing is formed from two ormore panels , made of glass or another material that is also partially transparent to light , coupled together by means of profiles that allow the formation of at least one gap that is impermeable to liquids and gases . The motori zed mobile blind is housed inside the cavity .

[0012] The Applicant has nevertheless discovered that the leaf inclination whereto the movable blind is integral may cause mal functions , defects and reduced product li fe .

[0013] In particular, movable motori zed double glazing blinds , i f moved into an inclined pos ition, are subj ect to signi ficant defects , as listed below :

[0014] - Overlapping of the cords inside the upper box : the inclination of the system partially reduces the ef fect of the force of gravity acting upon the bottom of the blind and, together with the friction of the bottom which moves into contact with one of the panes that constitute the double glazing or with the side profiles of the frame , causes a reduction in the tension of the cords , which may not be able to stretch, forming knots that in the worst case cannot be released without dismantling the double glazing .

[0015] - Excessive rubbing of the components of the blind (bottom, fabric, slats and other components constituting the blinds ) on the lateral profiles of the frame with the consequent release of dust and the formation of deposits upon the blinds themselves .

[0016] - Rubbing of the components of the bl ind (bottom, fabric, slats and other components constituting the blinds ) against the glass , with possible degradation of the coating deposited upon the glass itsel f and the release of substances into the double glaz ing .

[0017] It should be noted that the problem of the overlapping of the cords ins ide the upper box may also occur in the case of motorized blinds that are not necessarily double glazed, but external to the glass .

[0018] The obj ect of the present invention is to propose a system for actuating a motori zed movable blind, in particular, but not exclusively double glazing, that is capable of preventing the drawbacks mentioned above .

[0019] This obj ect is achieved using a actuation system according to the attached claim 1 . The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the actuation system .

[0020] The features and advantages of the actuation system according to the invention will become apparent from the description below of the preferred embodiments thereof , given by way of non-limiting example , with reference to the attached figures , wherein :

[0021] - Figure 1 shows , in perspective view, an example of a window with a motori zed movable double glazed blind and a movable blind actuation system;

[0022] - Figure 2 is a front view of the window and of theactuation system of Figure 1 ;

[0023] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of only those components that are within the double glazing and of the electric motor apparatus of the actuation system;

[0024] - Figure 4 to 4a are two side views of the window, in a vertical position and in an inclined position, respectively;

[0025] - Figure 5 to 5a are two front views of the window, in a vertical position and in an inclined position, respectively;

[0026] - Figure 6 is a front view of the window and of the actuation system, in a variant embodiment ;

[0027] - Figure 7 is a front view of the window and of the actuation system, in a further embodiment variant ;

[0028] - Figure 8 is a perspective view of the window and of the actuation system, in a further embodiment variant ; and

[0029] - Figure 9 is a perspective view of the window and of the actuation system, in a further embodiment variant .

[0030] In said drawings , the reference numeral 1 indicates , as an example of an application of the actuation system according to the invention, a window with a motori zed movable blind 2 in a double glazing 3 .

[0031] As pointed out above , the proposed actuation system is however also applicable to motori zed blinds that are external to the glass , provided that they are integral toa leaf that is suitable for being inclined with respect to a vertical axis .

[0032] The window 1 consists of a frame 4 that supports the double glazing 3 . A box 5 is formed in an upper part of the frame 4 .

[0033] The movable blind 2 is operated by an actuation system 10 .

[0034] The actuation system 10 comprises an electric motor apparatus 12 . For example , the electric motor apparatus 12 is housed in the box 5 .

[0035] In one embodiment , the electric motor apparatus 12 comprises an electric motor 14 and a shaft or roller 16 , rotatably operable by the electric motor 14 .

[0036] In one embodiment , the movable blind 2 is provided with cords 201 which wrap around the shaft 16 and depending upon the direction of rotation of the electric motor 14 , unwind from the shaft 16 .

[0037] One upper end of the cords 201 is fixed, for example by mechanical means 203 , to the shaft 16 ; the other end, the lower end, of the cords 201 is fixed to the bottom or lowest blade 202 of the movable blind 2 . The winding of the cords 201 around the shaft 16 allows the bottom 202 to rise , which in turn raises the movable blind 2 .

[0038] The shaft 16 may be smooth, threaded, conical , cylindrical or any other equivalent variant , wherein the obj ect thereof is the winding of the cords 201 ( or ofanother driving means connected to the blind, or of the blind itsel f ) .

[0039] The actuation system 10 comprises an inclination sensor 20 suitable for detecting the inclination of the double glazing 3 with respect to the vertical axis Y ( Figures 4 , 4a, 5 and 5a ) .

[0040] The double glazing 3 may be inclined with respect to the vertical axis Y, for example when the window or glass door 1 is inclined open, or when it is installed in an inclined wall , or during transport , assembly, or testing .

[0041] The actuation system 10 further comprises motor inhibition means 22 operatively connected to the inclination sensor 20 and suitable for inhibiting the movement of the movable blind 2 when the inclination of the double glazing 3 , as detected by the inclination sensor 20 , exceeds a predetermined threshold value .

[0042] In an embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 , the motor inhibition means 22 are suitable for being at least partially positioned in series with the power cables 24 of the electric motor apparatus 12 and are configured to interrupt the power supply to the electric motor apparatus 12 when the inclination sensor 20 detects an inclination higher than the predetermined threshold value . For example , the motor inhibition means 22 may comprise a switch that opens / closes the power supply circuit of the electric motor apparatus 12 and controllogic that controls such switch as a function of the value of the inclination of the double glazing 3 , as detected by the inclination sensor 20 , with respect to the predetermined threshold value .

[0043] It should be noted that the motor inhibition means 22 , and in particular the control logic of the switch in the embodiment described above , may be integrated into said inclination sensor 20 , or, as described below, may be integrated into a separate electronic control device of the electric motor apparatus 12 .

[0044] In a variant embodiment shown in Figure 1-7 , the motor inhibition means 22 , regardless of the positioning thereof , are configured to transmit , in wired or wireless mode , a control signal to the electric motor apparatus 12 that is suitable for inhibiting the movement of the movable blind 2 .

[0045] In some embodiments , the actuation system 12 comprises an electronic control device 30 ; 30 ' operatively connected to the electric motor apparatus 12 . The electronic control device 30 ; 30 ' is provided with electronic control means 32 configured to control the electric motor apparatus 12 .

[0046] As mentioned above , in one embodiment the motor inhibition means 22 may be part of the electronic control means 32 . Alternatively, in a variant embodiment , the motor inhibition means 22 , for example integrated intothe inclination sensor 20 , are configured to transmit a motor inhibition signal to the electronic control means 32 . The electronic control means 32 of the control device 30 ; 30 ' are thus configured to receive a motor inhibition signal from the motor inhibition means 22 and to consequently control the electric motor apparatus 12 so as to stop the movement of the movable blind 2 .

[0047] In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 1-7 , the electronic control device 30 is provided with fastening means 34 that are suitable for allowing for the installation of the electronic control device 30 on a glass of the double glazing 3 or on the frame 4 of the window . The electronic control device 30 is therefore integral with the double glazing 3 or the frame 4 that supports it and therefore inclines together with the double glazing 3 .

[0048] In this case , the inclination sensor 20 , and consequently also the motor inhibition means 22 , may also be integrated into the electronic control device 30 ( Figure 1-2 ) .

[0049] In a variant embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 , the inclination sensor 20 is external to the electronic control device 30 and is configured to transmit a signal to the electronic control means 32 that is representative of the inclination of the double glazing 3 , as detected by the inclination sensor 20 , or else a signal indicatingthat the predetermined threshold value is exceeded .

[0050] The inclination sensor 20 may be connected to the electronic control device 30 by wires ( Figure 6 ) or wirelessly, expliting radio technologies and protocols and / or through a cloud-based structure , by virtue of an Internet connection ( Figure 7 ) .

[0051] In an embodiment illustrated in particular in Figure 1 , the electronic control device 30 comprises an electric power supply battery . The fastening means 34 comprise , or integrate , electric contacts suitable for supplying electric power to a device support base 35 fastened to the glass of the double glazing 3 or to the frame 4 of the lock .

[0052] For example , the electronic control device 30 is provided with magnetic or ferromagnetic elements 34 ' that are suitable for coupling to corresponding magnetic or ferromagnetic elements 35 ' fastened to the support base 35 . Such magnetic or ferromagnetic elements 34 ' , 35 ' may perform both the function of supporting the electronic control device 30 and the function of providing electric contacts for powering the electric motor apparatus 12 by means of the battery of the electronic control device .

[0053] The device support base 35 is electrically connected to the electric motor apparatus 12 by means of power cables 24 running along the frame 4 of the window or between the frame of the double glazing3 and the frame 4 .

[0054] It should be noted that in some embodiments the electronic control device 30 is provided with control buttons 38 connected to the electronic control means 32 for controlling the position of the movable blind by a user . The electronic control device 30 thus controls the electric motor apparatus 12 at the input of the user by means of the control buttons 38 or autonomously, through the motor inhibition means 22 , when the inclination sensor 20 communicates to the motor inhibition means 22 that the inclination of the double glazing 3 has exceeded the predetermined threshold value .

[0055] In an embodiment shown in Figure 8- 9 , the electronic control device 30 ' is installed in a position that is not integral to the window, for example in the electric system of the building .

[0056] In this case , the inclination sensor 20 is installed independently and externally to the electronic control device 30 ' and communicates information to the latter relating to the inclination of the double glazing 3 via cable ( Figure 8 ) or wirelessly, making use of radio or equivalent technologies ( Figure 9 ) .

[0057] In some embodiments , the electronic control device 30 ' installed in the electric system of the building, or in any case in a position not accessible by the user, may in turn be connected to a control panel provided with buttons that are operable by the user .

[0058] It should be noted that the electronic control device 30 ; 30 ' may only provide the electric motor apparatus 12 with signals for controlling the movement of the blind 2 , whilst the electric power may be provided to the electric motor apparatus 12 by means of another independent power supply system .

[0059] In some embodiments , the electronic control device 30 ; 30 ' , after having received information from the sensor 20 regarding the inclination of the double glazing 3 , is configured to process it and transmit it in turn, by wire , a radio signal , an internet connection or other communication method, to an external interface ( for example , but not exclusively, to a mobile device application) which may be consulted by the user .

[0060] The present invention also relates to a window 1 , or door-window, comprising a frame 4 that supports a double glazing 3 wherein a movable blind 2 is housed, and an actuation system 10 for the movable blind as described above in the possible alternative embodiments thereof or, where technically possible , that may be combined therebetween .

[0061] It is clear that the actuation system described above makes it possible to achieve the intended obj ects insofar as it is able to inhibit the movement of the movable blind i f a leaf inclination, whereto the blind is integral , is detected that is greater than apredetermined threshold value .

[0062] It should also be noted that the possibility of having a system consisting of separate components that may communicate therebetween is advantageous in terms of possible future maintenance or the replacement of individual parts , without necessarily replacing the entire apparatus .

[0063] To the embodiments of the actuation system for a movable blind according to the invention, a person skilled in the art may, in order to meet contingent needs , make changes , adaptations , and replacements of elements with functionally equivalent ones without departing from the scope of the following claims . Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be obtained independently of the other described embodiments .

Claims

Claims1. An actuation system for a motorized movable blind (2) , wherein the motorized movable blind (2) is suitable for being made integral with a tiltable leaf with respect to the vertical axis, comprising:- an electric-motor apparatus (12) suitable for moving the movable blind (2) ;- an inclination sensor (20) suitable for detecting the inclination of the leaf with respect to the vertical axis ( Y ) ; and- motor inhibition means (22) operatively connected to the inclination sensor (20) and suitable for inhibiting the movement of the movable blind (2) when the inclination of the leaf detected by the inclination sensor (20) exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

2. Actuation system according to claim 1, wherein the motor inhibition means (22) are suitable for being positioned in series with power supply cables (24) of the electric motor apparatus (12) and are configured to cut off the electric power supply to the electric motor apparatus ( 12 ) .

3. Actuation system according to claim 1, wherein the motor inhibition means (22) are configured to transmit to the electric motor apparatus (12) a control signal suitable for inhibiting the movement of the movable blind (2) .

4. Actuation system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electronic control device (30; 30' ) operatively connected to the electric motor unit (12) and provided with electronic control means (32) configured to control the electric motor apparatus (12) , the motor inhibition means (22) being included in the electronic control means (32) or being configured to transmit a motor inhibition signal to the electronic control means (32) .

5. Actuation system according to claim 4, wherein the electronic control device (30) is provided with fastening means (34) suitable for allowing installing the electronic control device (30) on a glass or on the frame (4) or on any other component of a frame integral with the tilting leaf.

6. Actuation system according to claim 5, wherein the inclination sensor (20) is integrated into the electronic control device (30) .

7. Actuation system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inclination sensor (20) is external to the electronic control device (30; 30' ) and is configured to transmit a signal representative of the inclination of the leaf detected by the sensor or a exceeding signal of the predetermined threshold value to the electronic control means ( 32 ) .

8. Actuation system according to any one of claims 5-7,wherein the electronic control device (30) comprises an electric power supply battery, and wherein the fastening means (34) comprise or integrate electric contacts (34' ) suitable for supplying electric power to a device support base (35) fastened to the glass or frame of the tilting leaf, the device support base (35) being electrically connected to the electric motor unit (12) .

9. A window or door-window, comprising a tilting leaf with which a motorized movable blind (2) is integral, and an actuation system (10) of the movable blind according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A window or door-window according to claim 9, wherein the motorized movable blind (2) is housed within a double glazing (3) of the tilting leaf.

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