Motorized Roller Shade Smart Hembar for Slack and Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorized roller shades with uneven hembars or obstacles in the path of the covering material can cause telescoping, damage to the covering material, and undesired jerking movements due to slack winding, leading to aesthetically displeasing and functional issues.
Innovation Solution
A motorized window treatment system with a smart hembar equipped with state sensing circuits and a control module that detects and responds to changes in the hembar's position and movement, adjusting the motor operation to prevent damage and maintain smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the hembar is not level with the roller tube, then the covering material winds around the roller tube incorrectly causing telescoping, but the motor drive unit cannot detect the uneven position to adjust operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a level sensor to detect the hembar's position and send signals to the control module. The control module receives the level signal and adjusts the motor operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that automatically corrects uneven hembar positioning without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the hembar with an automated sensing and control system. Instead of relying on precise mechanical installation, the system uses electronic level detection and motor control to achieve proper hembar alignment, substituting mechanical precision requirements with electronic sensing capabilities.
2Reliability
If the hembar contacts an obstacle while lowering, then the hembar becomes unlevel and causes loose portions of covering material, but the motor drive unit continues operation unaware of the obstacle
Solution Approach 1:
The level sensor provides continuous feedback during the lowering operation, allowing the control module to detect when the hembar contacts an obstacle and becomes unlevel. This feedback mechanism enables the system to stop operation upon detecting abnormal conditions, preventing damage to the covering material and ensuring reliable smooth operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles before they cause significant damage. By continuously monitoring hembar level during operation, the system can identify and respond to obstacles early in the process, preventing the development of loose portions and aesthetic issues before they occur.
3Measurement precision
If there is slack in the covering material near the roller tube, then the slack winds around the roller tube causing the hembar to get stuck, but the motor drive unit cannot detect the slack condition
Solution Approach 1:
The level sensor detects changes in hembar position that indicate slack winding around the roller tube. When the hembar becomes unlevel due to wrapped slack material, the sensor provides feedback to the control module, which then stops motor operation to prevent the hembar from getting stuck, eliminating the need for direct slack detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The level sensor acts as an intermediary that indirectly detects slack conditions through hembar position changes rather than directly measuring covering material tension. This intermediary approach simplifies the sensing system by using the hembar's position as a proxy indicator for slack conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized window treatment includes a motor drive unit having a motor and a covering material having a first end in a fixed position and a second end movable along a first axis. The covering material is configured to be extended along a first axis when the motor is operated in a first direction and retraced along the first axis when the motor is operated in a second direction. A hembar is coupled to the second end of the covering material. At least one state sensing circuit is coupled to the hembar and is configured to generate at least one first signal. A control circuit is configured to determine a present state of the hembar based on the at least one first signal. The motor drive unit is configured to control the motor when the present state of the hembar and an expected state of the hembar are different.