Roll-Up Cover Control Unit With Integrated Lighting Power Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional roll-up roof installations face difficulties in installation, particularly with the positioning and electrical connections of control units, and existing solutions for integrating lighting are complex and unsatisfactory, especially for curtains with articulated arms without uprights. Additionally, current lighting systems are limited in power and require external components that are hard to install.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained control device integrated within the tubular shaft of the roller blind, which includes a motorization unit and lighting elements, allowing for easy installation and remote control, with a power supply that can be connected to either an external power source or photovoltaic panels, enabling independent operation and reducing installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the control unit is positioned externally with respect to the tubular shaft and tent structure, then the control unit can be housed within a casing fixed to the fixed external structure, but the installation becomes difficult due to the need to find suitable positioning and carry out electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control unit directly into the tubular shaft housing, merging the control unit positioning function with the existing shaft structure. This eliminates the need for separate external positioning and electrical connection work, as the control unit becomes part of the already-installed shaft assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular shaft housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only supports the winding mechanism but also houses the control unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies installation by utilizing the existing structural space.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are applied to the arms or crosspiece of articulated arm awnings, then lighting coverage is achieved, but the installation becomes complex and unsatisfactory especially for curtains without uprights
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to integrate both motorization control and lighting control functions into a single device housed within the tubular shaft. This merging eliminates the need for separate lighting installation on arms or crosspieces, simplifying the overall system especially for articulated arm awnings without uprights.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that centralizes the control of both motorization and lighting functions. By positioning this intermediary device within the tubular shaft, the patent provides a single point of control that simplifies installation and management of both systems.
3Device complexity
If the motor provides power output for lighting at low voltage, then the lighting system can be powered by the motor itself, but the power available is limited and can only power a small number of lights
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent sources: the motor provides low-voltage power for basic lighting needs, while a separate high-voltage power source (mains electricity or battery) provides additional power capacity. This segmentation allows the system to scale lighting power according to available sources without limiting the overall capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to accept and manage multiple power sources universally. It can operate with the motor's low-voltage output alone, or switch to higher-power external sources when available, providing flexible power management that adapts to different installation scenarios and power availability.
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 simplifies the installation and management of roll-up roof installations by integrating motorization and lighting within a compact, autonomous control device, allowing for easy programming and remote control, while meeting safety standards and being adaptable to various installation scenarios, including those without external support structures.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply that can be connected to either an external power source or photovoltaic panels
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A device (26) for controlling both a motorization unit (20) of a roll-up cover installation (1) and a plurality of lighting elements (18) applied to at least one component (2,4,6,8,10) of said roll-up cover installation (1), characterized in that it comprises a casing (27) which can be inserted into a component of said installation (1) or its support structure and/or can be associated externally to said installation (1) or to its support structure, or in its vicinity, inside said casing (27) being arranged and housed: - at least one power supply unit (34) for said motorization unit (20) and for said lighting elements (18), - at least one unit (35) for monitoring and control connectable with said motorization unit and said lighting elements (18) of said roller cover installation (1), - a receiver or transceiver (36) connected and/or incorporated in said control and command unit (35) to receive from the outside control signals for controlling, based on these, said motorization unit (20) and said lighting elements (18), and also characterized in that said control unit (35) is configured so that, if an activation command of the motorization unit (20) is received while the lighting elements (18) are supplied, the power for the supply of the lighting elements (18) is automatically reduced, thus also reducing the brightness generated by these elements, to be used to supply the motorization unit (20).