Shading Device Battery Recharging via Position-Triggered Electrical Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home automation systems for solar protection and shading devices face issues with the reliability and aesthetics of electrical connections, as power supply cables are wound with the screen, leading to potential damage and complexity in implementation.

Innovation Solution

The system simplifies the electrical connection by using a mechanism where the first and second electrical connection elements only cooperate when the screen is in a recharging position, eliminating the need for a power supply cable and ensuring reliability, with options for electrical contact elements or coils for electromagnetic coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a power supply cable is integrated into the screen fabric to connect the battery to the electromechanical actuator, then the electrical connection is established, but the cable is wound with the screen around the winding tube causing potential damage to the cable and fabric, and the electrical connection becomes complex to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power supply cable from the screen fabric integration, separating the electrical connection function from the screen mechanism. The cable is instead routed through the housing and loaded onto the actuator separately, eliminating the winding problem and simplifying the connection implementation while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary routing path through the housing structure to connect the battery to the actuator. The power cable is guided through the housing interior and exits at the actuator location, serving as a mediator that avoids direct integration with the screen fabric while establishing the necessary electrical connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the power cable is integrated into the screen fabric, then the electrical connection is established, but the screen aesthetics are compromised and the fabric may be damaged during rolling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidscreen aesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the power cable from the screen fabric, extracting this functional element from the aesthetic component. The cable is routed through the housing and actuator assembly, completely separating it from the screen fabric to preserve the screen's appearance and prevent damage during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the electrical connection system from the screen mechanism. The power cable is routed through separate structural elements (housing and actuator) rather than being integrated into the screen fabric, creating distinct functional zones that prevent aesthetic compromise and fabric damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the electrical connection elements are positioned to enable recharging when the screen is in the low position, then user convenience is improved, but the connection mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecharging convenienceVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the electrical connection elements in advance during the low position configuration, so that when the user connects the external power source at this position, the connection is automatically established without requiring additional mechanical action or complex switching mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the screen's own position (low position) as the trigger for enabling the electrical connection. The connection elements are designed to automatically engage when the screen is in the low position, allowing the system to serve itself by using the existing mechanical position to activate the electrical connection without additional complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 guarantees reliable battery recharging without damaging the screen or cables, reduces costs, and simplifies the recharging process by allowing connection when the screen is in a low position, enhancing user convenience and system durability.

Implementation Method 1

The autonomous electrical power supply device comprises a battery. The battery is located within the housing of the shading device, specifically inside a roller tube of the screen. The battery comprises several rechargeable energy storage cells.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

the first electrical connection element and a second electrical connection element, the second electrical connection element being located at the level of the screen support device, the second electrical connection element cooperating with the first electrical connection element only when the screen is in a battery charging position, so as to establish an electrical connection between the first electrical connection element disposed at the charging bar and the battery disposed at the screen support device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

with options for electrical contact elements or coils for electromagnetic coupling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3341550B1Home-automation equipment for closure or solar protection and method for recharging a battery for such equipment
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3341550B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3341550B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3341550B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to home-automation equipment which includes a blackout device (3) including a screen (2), a holding device (9) for holding the screen (2), a rider bar (8), a motorised drive device and a standalone device for supplying electrical energy (26). The motorised drive device includes an electromechanical actuator which makes it possible to raise and lower the screen (2). The supply device (26) includes a battery (24) arranged in the holding device (9), a first electrical connection element (27) arranged on the rider bar (8) and designed to be connected to an external electrical power supply source (25), in order to recharge the battery (24), and a second electrical connection element (28) arranged on the holding device (9). The second element (28) engages with the first element (27) only when the screen (2) is in a position for recharging the battery (24), so as to establish an electrical connection between the first element (27) and the battery (24).