Venetian Blind Sensor for Wind Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun protection systems, including external venetian blinds, face operational reliability issues due to central wind sensors that inaccurately reflect wind loads, leading to unnecessary retraction of sheltered systems during storms, and existing wind sensors on venetian blinds are visually disturbing and difficult to mount.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a sensor unit into the turning belt strand of external venetian blinds to measure tensile force, emitting electrical signals for wind monitoring, allowing independent wind detection and control of the venetian blind's electromotive drive, which can trigger retraction or alarm signals based on detected wind loads and operational states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central wind sensor is used to monitor wind loads, then wind monitoring coverage is provided, but false retraction occurs for sheltered sun protection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wind monitoring function from a single central sensor to distributed sensors mounted on individual sun protection systems. Each system has its own sensor that locally monitors wind conditions, allowing independent decision-making about retraction without being influenced by wind conditions at other locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local wind monitoring by placing sensors on each individual sun protection system rather than using a central sensor. This ensures that each system responds to its own local wind conditions, providing accurate protection only when actually needed at that specific location.
2Reliability
If a wind sensor is mounted on the top slat of the venetian blind, then wind load detection is achieved, but the sensor is visually disturbing and difficult to mount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor mounting from the top slat and relocates it to the winding shaft area. This removes the visual disturbance from the visible portion of the blind while maintaining the sensor's functional position for detecting wind loads on the lifting tapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the winding shaft as an intermediary mounting location for the sensor. The sensor detects forces in the lifting tapes, and the winding shaft serves as a convenient structural element to mount the sensor on, avoiding direct mounting on the visible top slat.
3Reliability
If a force sensor is used to determine wind load, then wind monitoring is possible, but the sensor requires precise integration into the turning belt strand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensor mounting system to serve multiple functions: it monitors wind loads, detects operational status, and can identify abnormal conditions. The sensor is integrated into the existing turning belt strand structure, utilizing the same mounting infrastructure for multiple detection purposes.
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
Enhances operational reliability by accurately monitoring wind loads and preventing damage from excessive winds, while being cost-effective and visually unobtrusive, allowing for improved usability and protection of external venetian blinds.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit (1) with a sensor (2), with the sensor unit (1) having attachment means which are suitable for attaching the sensor (2) to a turning belt strand (3, 8) of the external venetian blind to measure the tensile force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a safety device for an external venetian blind, comprising at least one sensor unit (1) which includes a sensor. The safety device is characterized in that the sensor is configured to detect a tensile force or a change in tensile force and to output an electrical output signal corresponding to the detected tensile force or change in tensile force, and the sensor unit comprises connecting means (12, 13, 14) suitable for connecting the sensor to a tilting cord (1, 3, 8) of the external venetian blind in a manner that detects the tensile force, so that the tensile force or change in tensile force acting on the tilting cord (1, 3, 8) can be signaled. The invention also relates to an external venetian blind equipped with the safety device and to a corresponding control method for controlling an electric motor drive of the external venetian blind.