Smart Hembar Charging Control for Motorized Window Treatments

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized window treatments lack efficient energy management and control systems for optimizing the operation of energy storage elements, leading to inefficiencies in charging and positioning of covering materials.

Innovation Solution

A motorized window treatment system with a motor drive unit, energy storage element, and control circuit that manages energy storage based on light levels, time schedules, weather conditions, and occupancy, allowing for intelligent charging and positioning of the covering material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the covering material is positioned to allow maximum light exposure to the energy storage element, then charging efficiency is improved, but privacy protection and light blocking performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidlight blocking performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of the covering material to specific locations (such as above the window or to the side) before charging operations. This allows the energy storage element to receive maximum light exposure for charging while the covering material remains in a position that maintains privacy protection and light blocking performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The covering material is dynamically positioned between different locations - sometimes blocking light from reaching the energy storage element (for privacy and light blocking), and sometimes allowing light exposure (for charging). The system dynamically adjusts the position based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between charging efficiency and light blocking performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the covering material is positioned to block light from reaching the energy storage element, then privacy protection is improved, but charging capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidcharging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of the covering material to specific locations (such as above the window or to the side) before charging operations. This allows the energy storage element to receive maximum light exposure for charging while the covering material remains in a position that maintains privacy protection and light blocking performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The covering material periodically alternates between blocking light (for privacy) and allowing light exposure (for charging). The control system manages this periodic action by scheduling charging operations at appropriate times when the covering material can be repositioned to allow light access to the energy storage element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If the covering material is positioned to allow light exposure for charging, then energy storage capability is improved, but light blocking performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capabilityVSAvoidlight blocking performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of the covering material to specific locations (such as above the window or to the side) before charging operations. This allows the energy storage element to receive maximum light exposure for charging while the covering material remains in a position that maintains privacy protection and light blocking performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The covering material is dynamically positioned between different locations - sometimes blocking light from reaching the energy storage element (for privacy and light blocking), and sometimes allowing light exposure (for charging). The system dynamically adjusts the position based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between charging efficiency and light blocking performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the covering material is positioned to block light, then privacy protection is improved, but energy storage capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidenergy storage capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of the covering material to specific locations (such as above the window or to the side) before charging operations. This allows the energy storage element to receive maximum light exposure for charging while the covering material remains in a position that maintains privacy protection and light blocking performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The covering material periodically alternates between blocking light (for privacy) and allowing light exposure (for charging). The control system manages this periodic action by scheduling charging operations at appropriate times when the covering material can be repositioned to allow light access to the energy storage element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system optimizes energy use by intelligently charging energy storage elements and adjusting covering material positions based on environmental and occupancy conditions, enhancing efficiency and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The bottom bar may include an energy storage element. The motorized window treatment may include a dock configured to be electrically coupled to the motor drive unit. The bottom bar may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the dock when the covering material is in the raised position, such that the energy storage element is configured to charge through the dock and the motor drive unit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Accumulator (energy)

Implementation Method 2

The motor drive unit may include a motor configured to rotate to adjust the covering material between the raised position and the lowered position.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20260062994A1Motorized window treatment with smart hembar

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC

AI summary

A motorized window treatment may include one or more mounting brackets and a window treatment assembly supported by the one or more mounting brackets. The window treatment assembly may include a covering material that is operable between a raised position and a lowered position. The window treatment assembly may include a bottom bar comprising an energy storage element. The motorized window treatment may include a motor drive unit comprising a motor configured to rotate to adjust the covering material between the raised position and the lowered position. The motorized window treatment may include a dock configured to be electrically coupled to the motor drive unit. The bottom bar may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the dock when the covering material is in the raised position, such that the energy storage element is configured to charge through the dock and the motor drive unit.