Sunshade Motor Control Unit as an Integrated Torque Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun protection systems face challenges in achieving a space-saving and easy-to-install arrangement of drive motors and control systems, particularly due to the need for additional auxiliary connecting pieces that occupy valuable installation space.

Innovation Solution

The sun protection system integrates a control unit that is directly or indirectly connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the motor head of the drive motor, forming a torque bridge between the drive motor and a torque-absorbing foundation. This configuration eliminates the need for additional auxiliary connecting pieces, optimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an auxiliary connecting piece is used to electrically connect the motor and control device, then electrical connection is achieved, but the installation space requirement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is integrated directly onto the motor housing, merging two previously separate components (motor and control device) into a single compact unit. This eliminates the need for auxiliary connecting pieces and significantly reduces the installation space required while maintaining reliable electrical connections through direct mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the control device is mounted separately from the motor, then installation flexibility is improved, but the overall system complexity increases due to additional connecting pieces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the control device directly onto the motor housing, the patent reduces system complexity by eliminating auxiliary connecting pieces while maintaining installation flexibility through the modular design that allows the integrated unit to be mounted as a single component in various locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If cable is laid externally along support or housing, then cable routing is simplified, but the external appearance and space utilization are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routingVSAvoidexternal space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the control device onto the motor housing allows cables to be routed internally through the integrated unit, eliminating the need for external cable routing along supports or housings. This improves space utilization and external appearance while maintaining ease of manufacture through the compact integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4571037A1Sun protection system with a control unit flanged to the motor
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 WEINOR GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4571037A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4571037A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4571037A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sun protection system with a sun protection element which can be moved between a retracted and an extended position by means of a drive motor (2), wherein the sun protection system has a control unit (4) for controlling and/or supplying current to at least the drive motor (2), wherein the drive motor (2) has a motor head (22) and an output (21), wherein the control unit (4) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner directly or indirectly to the motor head (22) of the drive motor (2), and that the control unit (4) forms the torque support of the drive motor (2).