Sliding Window Motor Control for Precise Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling motorized drive devices in sliding windows face issues with precise positioning and locking, leading to potential gaps or failure in locking the opening relative to the frame, due to hard points caused by defects or misalignment, resulting in incomplete closure or unlocking.

Innovation Solution

A method that includes an electromechanical actuator, electronic control unit, and counting device to measure electric current intensity, ensuring precise positioning by determining when the closed and locked position is achieved through multiple measurement steps and adjusting the motor's operation to prevent backward movement and ensure proper locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electric motor is controlled to move the opening at a regulated speed below the maximum threshold, then safety compliance is maintained, but the opening may not reach the closed and locked position due to hard points causing speed threshold exceedance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidoperation completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the actual speed of the opening during movement and compares it to the maximum speed threshold. When a hard point is detected (speed threshold exceeded), the control unit receives feedback and automatically adjusts the motor speed to complete the closure operation, ensuring the opening reaches the locked position while maintaining safety compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically adjusts the motor speed during operation based on real-time conditions. When a hard point is encountered, the system transitions from a fixed regulated speed to a variable speed regime, temporarily increasing speed to overcome the hard point while ensuring the opening still reaches the closed and locked position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the electric motor speed is increased to overcome hard points, then the opening can reach the closed position, but the maximum speed threshold may be exceeded causing unsafe operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation completenessVSAvoidspeed-related safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors actual speed during movement. When a hard point is detected (speed threshold exceeded), the system receives feedback and automatically reduces motor speed back below the maximum threshold after overcoming the hard point, ensuring safety compliance is restored while completing the closure operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting hard points through speed monitoring and preemptively adjusting motor speed before unsafe conditions can persist. When a hard point is detected, the control unit anticipates the need to reduce speed to maintain safety compliance, preventing prolonged exposure to unsafe speed conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the opening movement is stopped when maximum speed threshold is exceeded, then safety is maintained, but the opening may not be properly locked due to backward movement or incomplete closure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed-related safety hazardsVSAvoidlocking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit takes preliminary action by detecting hard points through speed monitoring and automatically adjusting motor operation before the opening can move backward or fail to lock. When a hard point is detected, the system preemptively modifies motor speed to ensure the opening completes its movement to the closed and locked position, preventing subsequent unlocking or gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from speed monitoring to determine when a hard point has been successfully overcome. The control unit continues monitoring until the opening reaches the closed position and is properly locked, using this feedback to ensure locking reliability is achieved before ending the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Guarantees precise positioning of the sliding window in the closed and locked position without gaps, overcoming issues of hard points and elasticity, ensuring the window is properly locked and preventing unlocking errors.

Implementation Method 1

The electronic control unit comprises a device for measuring an intensity value of an electric current passing through the electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

The motorized drive device comprises an electromechanical actuator. The electromechanical actuator comprises an electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4116535B1Method for controlling the operation of a motorised drive device of a sliding window for a building, associated window and home automation installation
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP4116535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4116535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4116535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling the operation of a motorized drive device for a sliding window in a building includes a control step (E20) of an electric motor to move a sash relative to a fixed frame. During the control step (E20), the method includes a measurement step (E30) of the current intensity values ​​flowing through the electric motor and a determination step (E40) of whether the sash has reached a closed and locked position. Following the determination of whether the closed and locked position has been reached, the method includes a determination step (E60) of whether the sash has moved backward relative to the fixed frame. Following the determination of a possible backward movement, the method includes a control step (E80) of the electric motor to move the sash relative to the fixed frame back to the closed and locked position.In addition, during the control step (E80), the process includes a measurement step (E90) of the intensity values ​​of the electric current passing through the electric motor and a determination step (E100) of the attainment of the closed and locked position.