Motorized Top-Down Bottom-Up Shades With Automatic Rail Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing architectural opening covering systems, such as blinds and shades, often require complex user input to manage multiple rails, leading to confusion and inefficient operation, especially when trying to cover specific portions of an opening.
Innovation Solution
A top down/bottom up architectural opening covering system with motorized middle and bottom rails, controlled by a single 'up' and 'down' button, where a controller automatically determines which rail to move based on detected positions, preventing operational failures and allowing intuitive user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rails are used to cover different portions of an opening, then the covering functionality is improved, but the operational complexity increases and user confusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines which rail (middle or bottom) needs to move based on the current covering state and user input direction. The controller monitors rail positions and autonomously selects the appropriate motor to activate, eliminating the need for users to manually determine which rail to control. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining multiple functional rails while simplifying user interaction to simple up/down commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates position detection mechanisms that continuously monitor the state of middle and bottom rails. This feedback information is fed to the controller, which uses it to intelligently decide which rail should move next based on the desired covering direction. The feedback loop enables the system to adapt its operation dynamically, allowing multiple rails to work together seamlessly without increasing user operational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If manual control of multiple rails is implemented, then precise control is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs the complex decision-making process automatically, determining which rail should move and by how much based on real-time position feedback. Users only need to provide simple directional commands (up or down), while the system handles all the complex coordination between multiple rails. This maintains precise control over individual rails while dramatically improving operational efficiency and user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, motors, and a controller to manage rail movements. This substitution of manual operation with an intelligent automated system preserves precise control capabilities while eliminating the inefficiencies of manual coordination between multiple rails.
3Ease of operation
If automated control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors positions of both middle and bottom rails, determines the desired covering direction, selects which motor to activate, and coordinates the movement of appropriate rails. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single universal control unit, the system achieves automated operation with improved ease of use while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the control functions for multiple rails into a single integrated controller that manages both middle and bottom rails through unified up/down commands. This consolidation combines what would otherwise require separate control mechanisms into one smart control unit, achieving automation benefits while keeping the added complexity manageable through functional integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example architectural opening coverings and methods are disclosed. An example architectural opening covering system comprises a first motor to move a middle rail relative to a fixed top rail, and a second motor to move a bottom rail relative to the middle rail and the fixed top rail. The example system also comprises a controller to selectively actuate the first motor to move the middle rail based on a first position of the middle rail and a first position of the bottom rail, and to selectively actuate the second motor to move the bottom rail based on a second position of the middle rail and a second position of the bottom rail.