Motorized Top-Down Bottom-Up Shade Control With Rail Position Feedback
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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, particularly in top down/bottom up configurations where determining the appropriate rail movement can be challenging.
Innovation Solution
The system employs motor assemblies and controllers that detect the positions of moveable middle and bottom rails, allowing users to control the covering with a simple 'up' and 'down' button, automatically determining which rail to move based on detected positions, and includes a lower-limit detection assembly to prevent unsatisfactory operations, using electrical circuitry and motors like reversible permanent magnet DC geared motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple moveable rails are used in top down/bottom up configurations, then the covering can cover different portions of the architectural opening, but the user control becomes complex and confusing
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines which rail (middle or bottom) should move based on the detected positions of the rails, eliminating the need for users to manually decide which rail to control. The controller monitors rail positions and autonomously selects the appropriate motor assembly to operate, making the system self-serve the user's intent without requiring complex user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates position detection mechanisms that continuously monitor the locations of the middle and bottom rails. This feedback information is fed to the controller, which uses it to determine the appropriate rail movement action, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to the current state of the covering.
2Productivity
If manual control of multiple rails is implemented, then the system can operate without motors, but the operation becomes inefficient and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated motorized system. Motor assemblies are coupled to the middle and bottom rails, and a controller with position detection automatically manages their movement, substituting the need for manual mechanical manipulation with an automated electromechanical system that improves efficiency while managing complexity through automation.
3Reliability
If rail position detection is added, then unsatisfactory operations are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary position detection before executing rail movement operations. The controller detects the current positions of the middle and bottom rails in advance, allowing it to pre-determine the appropriate motor to activate and prevent erroneous operations before they occur, ensuring reliable operation through advance detection and planning.
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 solution simplifies user control by automating rail movement decisions, ensuring intuitive operation and preventing rail misoperation, while fitting within compact spaces using flat ribbon cables and pre-cut electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
using electrical circuitry and motors like reversible permanent magnet DC geared motors
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.