Architectural Covering Motor Assembly With Rotatable Switch Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor assemblies for architectural coverings face issues such as difficulty in reaching high locations, increased manufacturing and maintenance costs due to additional wiring, and the inconvenience of wireless remote controls, which can be lost or require battery replacement, lacking the intuitive tactile control of manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A motor assembly with a consumer touchpoint that allows for intuitive manual operation, featuring a rotatable actuator that activates switches to raise or lower the covering, reducing wiring and incorporating a control lever to convert linear movement into rotational motion, providing a compact design and accessible control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual lift cord is used to operate the architectural covering, then the operation is simple and does not require additional wiring, but the lift cord is hard to reach when the covering is in the fully lowered position and requires a large amount of force to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical lift cord system with an electric motor assembly that can be activated by various means (wireless remote, wall switch, or integrated switch). This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical direction changes and reduces the force required to operate the covering, while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a motor assembly as an intermediary between the user and the architectural covering. This motor assembly can be controlled through multiple interfaces (remote control, wall switch, or integrated switch), providing flexibility in operation while eliminating the drawbacks of direct manual lift cord operation.
2Ease of operation
If a motor assembly with wall switch is used to operate the architectural covering, then the motorized operation is achieved, but additional wiring between the switch and motor assembly increases manufacturing and installation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switch functionality from the external wall mounting location and integrates it directly into the motor assembly housing. This eliminates the need for additional wiring between the wall switch and motor assembly, reducing manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining motorized operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the switch and motor assembly into a single integrated unit. By combining these components, the patent eliminates the need for separate wiring connections, reducing both manufacturing complexity and installation costs while maintaining full motorized operation functionality.
3Ease of operation
If switches are disposed outward from the motor assembly, then the switches are more accessible, but the switches are more likely to become damaged and light gap occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the switch and motor assembly into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate outwardly disposed switches. This integration protects the switch from damage while preventing light gap, and the motor assembly remains fully accessible for operation through the integrated design.
4Ease of operation
If a wireless remote control is used to operate the motor assembly, then the operation is convenient, but the remote control may be misplaced and batteries need to be replaced periodically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the motor assembly to support multiple control methods: wireless remote control, wall switch, and integrated switch within the motor assembly itself. This multi-functionality ensures that if one control method fails or is unavailable, alternative methods remain available, maintaining reliability while preserving operational convenience.
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
The solution enables easy, cost-effective, and maintenance-friendly operation of architectural coverings with reduced wiring, providing intuitive tactile control and accessible operation, enhancing user experience and reducing the risk of component damage.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a rotatable actuator that activates switches to raise or lower the covering, reducing wiring and incorporating a control lever to convert linear movement into rotational motion
Data Source
AI summary
Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.