Actuator Position Detection During Manual Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic cage actuators for screen movement fail to detect the rotation of the tubular housing during emergency manual operation without power supply, leading to position discrepancies and erratic behavior, and existing solutions are either expensive or inefficient in energy usage.

Innovation Solution

The electromechanical actuator operates in two modes: normal mode with external power and standby mode using an internal energy reserve, where the counting device is activated at a lower duty cycle to detect rotation during emergency manual operation, reducing energy consumption and maintaining position accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electronic counting devices are used to detect screen position, then position accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases during emergency manual operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption during emergency operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic counting device is activated periodically at predetermined intervals during emergency manual operation, rather than continuously. The control unit switches the counting device between active and inactive states based on elapsed time, achieving position detection at specific moments while minimizing energy consumption during extended emergency operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If additional counting systems are added to detect housing rotation during emergency operation, then position detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracy during emergency operationVSAvoidnumber of counting systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing electronic counting device, originally designed for detecting shaft rotation during normal motorized operation, is made multi-functional by enabling it to detect housing rotation during emergency manual operation. The control unit reconfigures the counting device to work with the emergency manual control system, eliminating the need for separate counting systems while maintaining position detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the function of detecting both motorized shaft rotation and manual housing rotation into a single electronic counting device. By combining these detection functions and using the same hardware component for both normal and emergency operations, the system reduces complexity and cost while achieving accurate position detection in all operating modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the electronic counting device operates continuously to maintain position accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection continuityVSAvoidoperating energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic counting device is activated periodically at predetermined intervals during emergency manual operation, rather than continuously. The control unit switches the counting device between active and inactive states based on elapsed time, achieving position detection at specific moments while minimizing energy consumption during extended emergency operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The operating state of the electronic counting device is made dynamic, switching between active and inactive modes based on operational context. During emergency manual operation, the device alternates between active detection periods and inactive energy-saving periods, adapting its operation to balance position accuracy requirements with energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for accurate position detection during both motorized and manual operations without power, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for additional counting systems, thus improving user experience and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The counting device is activated at a lower duty cycle during operation in standby mode using the energy supplied by the energy reserve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentEP2028574B1Method for operating an electromechanical actuator for a motorised screen drive and actuator therefore
Publication Date: 2013.07.03 SOMFY SAS
  • EP2028574B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2028574B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2028574B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A method of operating an actuator, the actuator being intended to be powered by the mains and comprising a manual backup control system for operating the screen when the actuator is not powered by the mains, and an electronic control unit equipped with a rechargeable energy reserve and an electronic counting device for determining the position of the screen, characterized in that it comprises the following two modes: - a first mode of operation in which the actuator is powered by the mains and the electronic control unit activates, according to a first law, the electronic counting device, - a second mode of operation in which the actuator is not powered by the mains and the electronic control unit activates, according to a second law, the electronic counting device.