Motor-Driven Screen Group Control for Load Bar Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing group control methods for motor-driven screens with load bars fail to ensure harmonious movement and synchronization, leading to uneven alignment and unsightly operation, especially when screens are not initially aligned, which affects both appearance and the ability to rapidly assess synchronization and screening states.

Innovation Solution

A group control method that prioritizes moving the end of each screen to align with the common position by identifying the furthest deviated screen and synchronizing its movement with others, ensuring all screens move simultaneously once aligned, allowing for precise control during opening, closing, or intermediate position adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If all screens move independently from their respective positions towards a common reference position, then each screen can reach its target position, but the load bars become misaligned and movements are uneven and unharmonious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of load barsVSAvoidoperation smoothness of group control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the furthest deviated screen before initiating group movement. By determining which screen is most distant from the common position in advance, the system can coordinate movements to ensure all load bars reach alignment simultaneously, preventing misalignment during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts the movement sequence based on real-time position feedback. Instead of fixed simultaneous movement, the system enables screens to move independently when necessary and coordinates their movements dynamically to achieve alignment, making the control system adaptive to varying initial conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If screens with different initial positions move simultaneously towards a common position, then group control is achieved, but synchronization cannot be verified and appearance becomes unpleasing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the position of each load bar relative to the common reference position and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables real-time verification of synchronization status and allows the system to adjust movements to maintain alignment, ensuring reliable synchronization without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the furthest deviated screen is identified and moved first, then dynamic alignment is achieved, but requires continuous position monitoring and coordinated control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of load barsVSAvoidautomation level of alignment control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically identifies the furthest deviated screen and initiates its movement without manual intervention. The system self-regulates by continuously monitoring positions and determining which screen requires movement to achieve alignment, reducing the need for manual control while maintaining high automation levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20110061818A1Group control method for controlling motor-driven screens as a group, automatic motor control for implementing the method, and home automation installations including such automatic motor control
Publication Date: 2011.03.17 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • US20110061818A1 patent drawing
  • US20110061818A1 patent drawing
  • US20110061818A1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to the method of the invention, the movement of movable screen ends for a group of motor-driven screens to a common position is controlled in a grouped manner. The method includes a step (E150) consisting of moving the end of a screen when said end becomes the farthest from the common position after moving the end of at least one other screen to said common position.