System for the movement of at least one shading member and method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator of such a system

Abstract

System (1) for the movement of at least one shading member (T), comprising at least one rotating tubular member (2) coupled to the at least one shading member (T) and configured to unwind and wind the at least one shading member (T) so as to move it from a retracted configuration into an extended configuration and vice versa, a movement mechanism (4) coupled to the at least one shading member (T) and comprising at least one pair of arms (6) which support the at least one shading member (T) during the movement from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa, at least one electromechanical actuator comprising an electric motor, an output shaft coupled to the at least one rotating tubular member (2) for actuation of the latter and the movement mechanism (4), and an electronic control module. The motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator is a direct current electric motor and the electronic control module is configured to perform the regulation of the at least one electromechanical actuator. The invention also relates to a method for selecting and controlling at least one electromechanical actuator of the aforementioned movement system.

Description

[0001] “System for the movement of at least one shading member and method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator of such a system”

[0002] ★ ★★★★

[0003] Field of Application

[0004] The present invention relates to an automated system for the movement of at least one shading member and a method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator of such an automated system.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Shading systems, preferably comprising at least one shading member, such as a folding-arm awning, and a system for the movement of the at least one shading member and generally comprising a winding tube, a bar, two arms and a support structure, are known from the state of the art.

[0007] In a manner known per se, a first end of the awning is fixed to the winding tube and a second end of the awning is fixed to the bar. Additionally, a first end of each of the arms is fixed to the bar and a second end of each of the arms is fixed to the support structure.

[0008] The movement system also comprises an electromechanical actuator for winding and unwinding the awning onto / from the winding tube, and for folding and unfolding the arms.

[0009] Generally, the electromechanical actuator is moved by an alternating current (AC) electric motor driven and regulated by an electronic control module.

[0010] This electromechanical actuator must be selected and / or its dimensions determined beforehand depending on the different technical characteristics, in particular the sizes and weight, of the shading members and the awnings or the maximum peak value of the driving torque required to fold and unfold the arms of the shading system. A first drawback of the aforementioned technical solutions consists in the fact that the electromechanical actuator previously selected and having predetermined sizes is very often not suitable for the construction requirements of the movement system; in particular, in the majority of cases, the electromechanical actuator is overdimensioned with respect to the actual application requirements of the shading system.

[0011] A further drawback consist in the fact that the use of an alternating current motor does not allow optimal control of the opening and closing speed of the shading member, nor high coupling efficiency between the electromechanical actuator and the shading member.

[0012] Presentation of the invention

[0013] The main object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks of the prior art described above by providing a system for the movement of at least one shading member and a method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator of such a system, which are able to increase the efficiency compared to the state of the art.

[0014] A further task of the present invention is to provide a system and a method of the type described above wherein the electromechanical actuator is effectively suitable for the actual construction requirements.

[0015] Another task of the present invention is to provide a system for the movement of at least one shading member which has reduced costs and is relatively simple to install.

[0016] The main tasks and object described above are achieved with a system for the movement of at least one shading member in accordance with Claim 1 and with a method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator of the movement system in accordance with Claim 7. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] In order to illustrate more clearly the innovative principles of the present invention and its advantages with respect to the prior art, an example of embodiment of a system for the movement of at least one shading member according to the present invention will be described below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. In particular:

[0018] - Figure 1 shows a system for the movement of at least one shading member in accordance with the present invention;

[0019] - Figure 2 shows a graph relating to the functioning of a system for the movement of at least one shading member under standard conditions during movement of the at least one shading member from a retracted configuration into an extended configuration;

[0020] - Figure 3 shows a graph relating to the functioning of a system for the movement of at least one shading member under standard conditions during the movement of the at least one shading member from the extended configuration into the retracted configuration.

[0021] Detailed description

[0022] The present invention relates to a system for the movement of at least one shading member and a method for selecting and controlling at least one electromechanical actuator of such a system.

[0023] A part of the movement system is generally denoted by reference numeral 1 in the attached Figure 1 in combination with the at least one shading member T.

[0024] Preferably, the at least one shading member T is made up of a folding-arm awning. However, the shading member T could also consist of equivalent elements or be formed by several elements and / or be made of different materials, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. The system 1 according to the present invention is an automated system and comprises:

[0025] - at least one rotating tubular member 2 coupled to the at least one shading member T and configured to wind and unwind the at least one shading member T so as to move it from a retracted configuration into an extended configuration and vice versa;

[0026] - a movement mechanism 4 coupled to the at least one shading member T and comprising at least one pair of arms 6 which support the at least one shading member T during the movement from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa;

[0027] - at least one electromechanical actuator - not shown in the attached figures - comprising a motor, an output shaft coupled to the at least one rotating tubular member 2 for actuating the latter and the movement mechanism 4, and an electronic control module, also not shown in the attached figures.

[0028] In a manner known per se, in the extended configuration the at least one shading member T, i.e. the awning, is intended to cover an area located below in order to protect said area from sunlight.

[0029] The at least one shading member T, i.e. the awning, is fixed at a first end to the rotating tubular member 2 and at a second end to a rigid bar 8.

[0030] The at least one shading member T and the system for its movement form part of a shading system likewise comprising a support structure, not illustrated in the attached figures.

[0031] Conveniently, such a shading system may be placed on a terrace or adjacent to an entrance area of a building and the support structure is configured to be fixed to a wall of the building, by means of fixing screws, for example.

[0032] The arms 6 of the movement mechanism 4 are fixed at a first end to the rigid bar 8 and at a second end to the support structure. The arms 6 of the movement mechanism 4 are hingeably joined and configured to be respectively unfolded or folded during the movement of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration, and vice versa.

[0033] Each arm 6 of the movement mechanism 4 further comprises two segments, which are connected at one end by means of a rotating joint 9.

[0034] Each arm 6 may also comprise a spring positioned in the region of the rotating joint 9 for supporting the movement during functioning.

[0035] In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the movement mechanism may also comprise more than two arms, depending on the dimensions of the at least one shading member, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Advantageously, the rotating tubular member 2 has an inner diameter substantially equivalent to the outer diameter of the at least one electromechanical actuator, such that the electromechanical actuator can be inserted into the tubular member 2 during assembly of the shading system.

[0037] Furthermore, the at least one electromechanical actuator is of the tubular type so as to allow rotation of the tubular member 2 and thus movement of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa.

[0038] The electronic control module of the at least one electromechanical actuator may be in communication with a control unit.

[0039] The control unit may, for example, be a local control unit, connected via a wired or wireless connection to a central control unit.

[0040] Advantageously, the local control unit may be a remote control, a smartphone, a tablet or a notebook. The system 1 may also comprise one or more sensors - also not shown in the attached figures - connected to the electronic control module and / or to the control unit and configured to detect data regarding at least the temperature and / or the luminosity and / or the humidity and / or the speed of the air.

[0041] Such sensors may be grouped together in a weather station positioned outside the building.

[0042] In accordance with the present invention, the motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator is a direct current (DC) electric motor and the electronic control module is configured to perform the regulation of the at least one electromechanical actuator.

[0043] In particular, the motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator is a direct current type electric motor with or without brushes and the electronic control module is preferably positioned in the proximity of the electric motor.

[0044] Preferably, the electric motor is supplied with a voltage of 24V and the electromechanical actuator may comprise an AC / DC power supply unit; should the power be supplied by connection to an electricity mains, the power supply unit is positioned inside the motor.

[0045] Alternatively, the at least one electromechanical actuator may comprise a compartment for positioning batteries for the power supply. The batteries may be charged by means of photovoltaic modules positioned outside the building.

[0046] Appropriately, the at least one rotating tubular member 2 and / or the at least one movement mechanism 4 are configured to perform the movement of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa with a resistance torque having a predefined time-dependent trend, this trend having maximum peak values.

[0047] In the context of the present description, the time-dependent trends of the resistance torque may also be defined as characteristic curves.

[0048] The direct current electric motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator has a nominal driving torque lower than the value of the maximum resistance torque peaks.

[0049] Furthermore, the predefined time-dependent trend of the resistance torque of the at least one rotating tubular member 2 and / or of the movement mechanism 4 has at least one plateau zone, the direct current electric motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator having a nominal driving torque close to the mean value of the resistance torque in the at least one plateau zone.

[0050] The predefined time-dependent trend of the resistance torque is illustrated in the graphs of Figures 2 and 3 with reference respectively to the movement of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and to the movement of the at least one shading member T from the extended configuration into the retracted configuration.

[0051] In these figures, it may be noted that the maximum peak values of the resistance torque correspond to predefined times, expressed in s / 100 or Cs along the x-axis. Advantageously, the electronic control module is configured to perform pulse width modulation regulation of the motor of the electromechanical actuator.

[0052] The electronic control module is configured to regulate the rotation speed (expressed in rpm) of the direct current electric motor so that the value of the driving torque delivered by the same is greater than the resistance torque value at the maximum peaks of the characteristic curves, i.e. at the predefined times when the resistance torque value reaches the maximum value.

[0053] The rate of the rotation speed regulation, which is preferably of the pulse width modulation type as mentioned above, can be preset to a rotation revolution or by setting the time on the basis of the trend of the characteristic curves. Advantageously, the electronic control module may also be configured to perform the regulation of the at least one electromechanical actuator on the basis of the data detected by the sensors described above.

[0054] As already mentioned, the present invention also relates a method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator of a system for the movement of the at least one shading member of the type indicated above.

[0055] The method comprises the following steps: i) determining the time-dependent resistance torque trend of the at least one rotating tubular member 2 and / or of the at least one movement mechanism 4; ii) selecting a direct current electric motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator for actuation of the at least one rotating tubular member 2 and the at least one movement mechanism 4; iii) movement of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa by means of actuation of the at least one rotating tubular member 2 and the movement mechanism 4 by the at least one electromechanical actuator.

[0056] As indicated above, the trend of the time-dependent resistance torque of the at least one tubular member 2 and / or of the at least one movement mechanism 4 during the movement of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration has maximum peak values and at least one plateau zone.

[0057] Preferably, step i) may be carried out by a series of test movements of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa.

[0058] For example, step i) may be carried out by performing the test movements of the at least one shading member T with a movement system comprising an electromechanical actuator combined with an alternating current motor.

[0059] Therefore, the resistance torque trends are obtained by means of empirical tests or alternatively by means of tabulated data relating to a shading member T having specific geometrical and / or dimensional characteristics.

[0060] In the graphs of Figures 2 and 3, which illustrate the resistance torque trends, the y- axis shows the torque delivered expressed in Nm units of measurement, while the x- axis shows the time expressed in s / 100 or Cs.

[0061] As shown in Figure 2, during the movement of the at least one shading member T from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration, the maximum resistance torque peak corresponds to approximately 27 Nm for the same angle of approximately 150° between the two segments of each arm 6 of the movement mechanism 4.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, during the movement of the at least one shading member T from the extended configuration into the retracted configuration, the first peak corresponds to a value of about 42 Nm.

[0063] The value of the first peak is reached when the two segments of each arm 6 of the movement mechanism form an angle of less than 180°, close to 150°; the second peak is instead reached when the two segments of each arm 6 of the movement mechanism 4 are completely bent with an angle close to 0°.

[0064] In accordance with the prior art, the installer or manufacturer normally defines the dimensions of the electric motor so as to move the electromechanical actuator with a torque value greater than or equal to the maximum peak value of the resistance torque, for example with an alternating current motor having a nominal torque of 50 Nm.

[0065] Such an alternating current electric motor is therefore over-dimensioned for most of the time during functioning of the system for the movement of the at least one shading member T, in particular when the resistance torque of the rotating tubular member and / or of the movement mechanism 4 is in the plateau zone.

[0066] In accordance with the present invention, step ii) is carried out in order to select a direct current electric motor having predefined sizes and with a nominal driving torque value less than the resistance torque value at the maximum peaks, differently from the prior art.

[0067] The method also provides for a step iv) of regulation of the direct current electric motor by means of the electronic control module so that the value of the driving torque delivered is greater than the resistance torque value at the maximum peaks.

[0068] Advantageously, step ii) is carried out in order to select a direct current electric motor having a nominal driving torque with a value close to the value of the resistance torque in a plateau zone of the trend, and step iv) is carried out by means of pulse width modulation regulation by the electronic control module.

[0069] The direct current motor of the present invention, unlike an alternating current motor, has the special feature that it offers a greater variability and control of the speed of rotation, as well as a higher driving torque.

[0070] In fact, the direct current electric motor, owing to its characteristics, is able for a short period of time to deliver even more than twice its nominal torque, reducing the speed of rotation.

[0071] Taking advantage of this characteristic feature, therefore, the motor of the electromechanical actuator may be selected with predefined sizes and with a lower nominal torque value than the maximum peak identifiable in the resistance torque trend.

[0072] Therefore, by using the direct current electric motor selected and dimensioned according to the present invention, the electronic control module regulates this electric motor, varying its speed of rotation during the respective functioning phases. In particular, by reducing the revolutions of the direct current electric motor, an increase in the driving torque which can be delivered is obtained for exceeding the maximum resistance torque peaks of the rotating tubular member 2 and the movement mechanism 4 during the movement of the at least one shading member T.

[0073] The electronic control module may subsequently impart the increase in the speed of rotation to the direct current electric motor after the maximum peak resistance torque value has been exceeded in time.

[0074] The method of the present invention may also comprise a step of detecting data relating to at least the temperature and / or the luminosity and / or the humidity and / or the speed of the air by means of the sensors described above, the regulation step iv) being performed on the basis of said data.

[0075] For example, in the event of strong wind, the respective sensor sends a signal to the electronic control module, which increases to the maximum speed value the movement of the at least one shading member T from the extended configuration into the retracted configuration.

[0076] In accordance with a further example, the electronic control module can regulate the speed of movement of the at least one shading member T on the basis of the luminosity value, more specifically following the orientation of the sun.

[0077] From the above description, it is now clear how the system for the movement of the at least one shading member and the method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator according to the present invention advantageously achieve the predefined objects.

[0078] In particular, the direct current electric motor of the electromechanical actuator according to the present invention allows more efficient regulation and control of the driving torque to be delivered, thereby avoiding oversizing of the motor with respect to the actual construction requirements.

[0079] Obviously, the above description of the embodiments applying the innovative principles of the present invention is provided by way of example of these innovative principles and must therefore not be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention claimed herein.

Claims

Claims1. System (1 ) for the movement of at least one shading member (T), comprising:- at least one rotating tubular member (2) coupled to the at least one shading member (T) and configured to unwind and wind the at least one shading member (T) so as to move the at least one shading member (T) from a retracted configuration into an extended configuration and vice versa;- a movement mechanism (4) coupled to the at least one shading member (T) and comprising at least one pair of arms (6) which support the at least one shading member (T) during the movement;- at least one electromechanical actuator comprising an electric motor, an output shaft coupled to the at least one rotating tubular member (2) for actuation of the latter and of said movement mechanism (4) and an electronic control module; characterized in that said motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator is a direct current electric motor, said electronic control module being configured to perform the regulation of said at least one electromechanical actuator.

2. System (1 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one rotating tubular member (2) and / or said at least one movement mechanism (4) are configured to perform the movement of the at least one shading member (T) from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa with resistance torques having predefined time-dependent trends which have maximum peak values, the motor of said at least one electromechanical actuator having a nominal driving torque lower than the value of the maximum peak values of the resistance torque.

3. System (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one rotating tubular member (2) and / or said at least one movementmechanism (4) are configured to perform the movement of the at least one shading member (T) from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa with resistance torques having predefined time-dependent trends which have at least one plateau zone, the motor of said at least one electromechanical actuator having a nominal driving torque close to the value of the resistance torque in the at least one plateau zone .

4. System (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic control module is configured to perform pulse width modulation regulation of said at least one electromechanical actuator.

5. System (1 ) according to the preceding claim where dependent on Claim 2, characterized in that said electronic control module is configured to regulate the speed of rotation of said motor so that the driving torque value delivered by the same is greater than the resistance torque value at said maximum peaks.

6. System (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises one or more sensors connected to said electronic control module and configured to detect data relating to at least the temperature and / or the luminosity and / or the humidity and / or the speed of the air, said electronic control module being configured to perform the regulation of said at least one electromechanical actuator on the basis of said data.

7. Method for selecting and controlling an electromechanical actuator of a system (1 ) for the movement of at least one shading member (T) in accordance with one or more of Claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the following steps: i) determining the time-dependent resistance torque trend of the at least one tubular member (2) and / or of the at least one movement mechanism (4); ii) selecting a direct current electric motor of the at least one electromechanical actuator for the actuation of the at least one rotating tubularmember (2) and the at least one movement mechanism (4); iii) moving the at least one shading member (T) from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa by means of actuation of the at least one rotating tubular member (2) and of the at least one movement mechanism (4) by the at least one electromechanical actuator; wherein the time-dependent resistance torque trend of the at least one tubular member (2) and / or of the at least one movement mechanism (4) has maximum peak values; characterized in that said step ii) is performed in order to select a direct current electric motor with a nominal driving torque having a value lower than the value of the resistance torque at the maximum peaks, a step iv) being provided for regulation of said direct current electric motor by the electronic control module so that the value of the driving torque delivered by the motor is higher than the value of the resistance torque at the maximum peaks.

8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the trend of the time-dependent resistance torque of the at least one tubular member (2) and / or of the at least one movement mechanism (4) has at least one plateau zone, said step ii) being carried out in order to select a direct current electric motor having a nominal driving torque with a value close to the value of the resistance torque in said plateau zone.

9. Method according to either one of Claims 7-8, characterized in that said step iv) is performed by means of pulse width modulation type regulation by said electronic control module.

10. Method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the method comprises a step of detection of data relating to at least the temperature and / or the luminosity and / or the humidity and / or the speed of the air, said regulationstep iv) being performed on the basis of said data.

11. Method according to any one of Claims 7-10, characterized in that said step i) is performed by means of a series of test movements of the at least one shading member (T) from the retracted configuration into the extended configuration and vice versa.

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