Motorised drive device for a shading or solar protection device, shading or solar protection device and associated installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized drive devices for concealment or solar protection devices face inefficiencies due to the pivoting guide wheels, which are hindered by defects in the rail's running tracks, leading to resistance during movement.
Innovation Solution
A motorized drive device with guide wheels that can be offset and aligned to facilitate easy insertion or extraction without dismantling the screen or rail, using a switching mechanism and elastic return elements to maintain contact with the rail's tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the guide wheels are simultaneously rotated around an axis orthogonal to the rail surface to allow insertion or extraction, then the guide wheels can be easily inserted or removed from the rail, but the guide wheels have a smaller diameter that impairs the efficiency of the motorized drive system during electrical activation due to defects in the rail raceways creating resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wheels are designed to dynamically change their orientation between two states: a first orientation where they rotate around an axis orthogonal to the rail surface for easy insertion/extraction, and a second orientation where they rotate around an axis parallel to the rail surface for efficient operation. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize for either installation/maintenance or operational efficiency depending on the required function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the guide wheels are aligned opposite each other to facilitate insertion or extraction through the rail slot, then the guide wheels can be easily installed or maintained without dismantling, but the mechanism requires a switching mechanism to change the orientation of the guide wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism integrates multiple functions: it simultaneously controls the orientation of both guide wheels, manages the engagement with the rail slot, and coordinates the movement of the motorized drive device. By merging these functions into a single mechanism, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the capability to switch between insertion/extraction mode and operational mode.
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 configuration ensures smooth movement along the rail while allowing for easy maintenance or installation without tools, enhancing the device's efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic return element configured to return the first guide wheel to its initial position
Implementation Method 2
the drive wheel being configured to be driven in rotation by means of the electric motor and to be in contact with at least one running surface of the rail, so as to move the motorized drive device along the rail
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motorized drive device (10), comprising an electric motor, a first holding device (37) and a first switching mechanism (41). In a first position of the first mechanism (41), a first guide wheel (38a) of the first holding device (41) is offset with respect to a second guide wheel (38b) of the first holding device (41), so as to maintain the motorized drive device (10) with respect to a rail by supporting the first and second guide wheels (38a, 38b) respectively with first and second raceways of the rail. Furthermore, in a second position of the first mechanism (41), the first guide wheel (38a) is positioned opposite the second guide wheel (38b) in a direction of movement of the motorized drive device (10) along the rail, so as to insert or extract the first and second guide wheels (38a, 38b) into or from the rail through a slot of the rail.