Motorized Sunblind Position Reset Without Hard Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized solar protection systems with electronic counting devices face issues with position misalignment during power outages or manual adjustments, as manual movements can disrupt the counting system, leading to inaccurate position tracking and requiring frequent readjustments, especially in installations without clear hard stops.

Innovation Solution

An adjustment method that uses electronic position counting and stop detection means to automatically reset and redefine end-of-travel positions, allowing for low-threshold detection of stops and avoiding damage, enabling error-free resetting without user intervention and adapting to various installation procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual emergency control is added to allow operation during power failures, then ease of operation is improved, but position counting accuracy deteriorates because manual movements disrupt the electronic counting system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual emergency controlVSAvoidposition counting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical counting device is introduced as an intermediary system that operates independently of the electronic counting system. This mechanical device uses gears and counters to track position based on motor rotations, providing accurate position information even during manual operations when the electronic system is disrupted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system switches between different counting parameters depending on the operating mode. During normal operation, electronic counting is used, but during manual emergency control, the system relies on mechanical counting parameters that are not affected by power failures or manual interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If electronic counting devices are used for position tracking, then ease of adjustment is improved (remote adjustment possible), but reliability deteriorates during power outages when manual movements cause position drift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote adjustment capabilityVSAvoidposition accuracy during power outages
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical counting device is pre-configured to track position independently of power supply status. During power outages, this preliminary mechanical counting system continues to accurately track position without requiring power or electronic components, preventing position drift.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces or supplements the electronic counting system with a mechanical counting system that is immune to power failures. The mechanical device uses physical gears and counters driven by the motor shaft, providing reliable position information regardless of electrical power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If regular resetting procedures are implemented to correct position drift, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to frequent manual interventions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidfrequency of manual readjustments
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dual counting system automatically compensates for position drift without requiring manual intervention. The mechanical and electronic counting systems work together, with the mechanical system providing continuous accurate position data during manual operations, eliminating the need for frequent resetting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback from both electronic and mechanical counting systems to continuously monitor and correct position accuracy. This dual-feedback mechanism detects and compensates for position drift in real-time, maintaining measurement precision without requiring periodic manual readjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2075401B1Einstellverfahren einer motorisierten Sonnenschutzanlage, die keinen Endanschlag umfasst
Publication Date: 2015.10.21 SOMFY SAS
  • EP2075401B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2075401B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2075401B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Method for adjusting a motorized sun protection system (1) comprising a screen (3) movable by activation of an actuator (6) equipped with an electronic position counting device (7) and means (9) for detecting an obstruction to movement, comprising the following steps: - recording a first end-of-travel position, - moving the screen by activating the actuator towards the first recorded end-of-travel position, continued beyond the first recorded end-of-travel position until a position similar to a stop, detected by the means for detecting an obstruction to movement, - measuring the position difference between the first recorded end-of-travel position and the position similar to a stop, - storing this measurement.