Blind Cord Drive Position Detection With End-Position Relaxation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric drive units for blinds require mechanical means to set the wound up end position, leading to increased stress on cords and mechanical components, and necessitate changes to the header panel to adjust this position.
Innovation Solution
An electric drive unit with a DC driven electric motor, a cord winding/unwinding unit, and a control circuitry that controls the motor based on the time development of detected passages, allowing for adjustment of the wound up end position without mechanical means and reducing stress on cords.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical means are used to set the wound up end position, then the position can be defined, but the cords and mechanical components experience increased stress and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical means (abutments, mechanical stops) with an electronic control system that uses a sensor to detect the wound-up position and a controller to stop the motor. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact at the end position, thereby reducing stress and wear on cords and mechanical components while maintaining reliable position definition.
2Reliability
If mechanical means are used to set the wound up end position, then the position is fixed, but changing the position requires modifications to the header panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static mechanical position setting into a dynamic electronic control system. The controller can be programmed with different position parameters, allowing the wound-up end position to be adjusted electronically without any physical modifications to the header panel or mechanical components. This provides both stability during operation and flexibility for reconfiguration.
3Measurement precision
If the blind hits against mechanical means at the wound up end position, then the position is reached, but high torque stresses the cords and mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor continuously monitors the position of the blind and provides real-time feedback to the controller. When the sensor detects that the wound-up end position has been reached, the controller receives this feedback and stops the motor before the blind can hit the mechanical means. This prevents high torque generation while maintaining precise position detection.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques including winding, by using an electric motor of the architectural covering, a blind of the architectural covering in a first direction. The techniques further include stopping the winding by the electric motor of the blind in the first direction at a programmatically adjustable wound end position. The techniques further include upon the blind reaching the programmatically adjustable wound end position, winding, by using the electric motor, the blind in an opposite direction to a second position relaxing at least a cord of the blind that is wound by a cord winding/unwinding unit driven by the electric motor, the difference between the programmatically adjustable wound end position and the second position being an amount less than that which would result in movement of the blind to a fully extended position and set based on a length of the blind.