Patent classifications
E06B9/70
External motor drive system for window covering system with continuous cord loop
A motor driven system for raising and lowering a window covering executes motor ramp trajectory speed control. The motor ramp trajectory limits acceleration of an external motor from the idle (stationary) state to full operating speed, and limits deceleration of the motor from full operating speed back to the idle state. This function reduces stresses on a continuous cord loop drive mechanism. A control system manages solar heating effects in response to sunlight entrance conditions such as system sensor outputs, external weather forecasts, and other data sources. The system automatically opens or close the window covering to increase or decrease admitted sunlight under appropriate conditions. The input interface of the control system includes a visual display and input axis, which are aligned vertically if the window covering mechanism raises and lowers the window covering, and are aligned horizontally if the window covering mechanism laterally opens and closes the window covering.
EXTERNAL MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM ADJUSTING FOR CREEP IN WINDOW COVERING SYSTEM WITH CONTINUOUS CORD LOOP
A drive system for raising and lowering a window covering includes a motor, a driven wheel configured to engage a continuous cord loop, a controller for the motor, a sensor, and a housing. The continuous cord loop includes an endless loop of flexible material and one or more sensor targets disposed on the endless loop of flexible material. The housing supports a guide rail adjacent the driven wheel. The sensor is mounted to the guide rail and is configured to generate a signal indicating presence of each sensor target when the target is located in proximity to or in contact with the sensor. The controller is calibrated to store an initial position of each sensor target along the continuous cord loop, and is configured to receive the signal indicating presence of the sensor target and to identify a drift from the initial position during continuing operation of the drive system.
Curtain hanging assembly
A curtain hanging assembly that consists of a curtain assembly able to effect horizontal opening and closing of curtains, and includes two elastic motor units provided with elastic feedback. Interactive dynamics between the two elastic motor units, through linear linkage, respectively cause torque forces produced to be in mutual opposition, enabling the let down area of the curtains to be naturally fixed at any height position.
Curtain hanging assembly
A curtain hanging assembly that consists of a curtain assembly able to effect horizontal opening and closing of curtains, and includes two elastic motor units provided with elastic feedback. Interactive dynamics between the two elastic motor units, through linear linkage, respectively cause torque forces produced to be in mutual opposition, enabling the let down area of the curtains to be naturally fixed at any height position.
Limit position safety device for a rolling door
A limit position safety device for establishing upper and lower limit positions of a rolling door that can be raised when rolled onto a generally horizontal shaft when the shaft rotates in a first direction and lowered when the shaft rotates in an opposing direction. The device includes two electrical limit switches each actuatable to reflect when an associated limit position of the rolling door has been reached. Actuators are movable to selectively actuate one of the limit switches at associated upper or lower limit positions of the rolling door. Drive gear are directly coupled to the shaft for moving the actuators in response to movements of the rolling door horizontal shaft. Accordingly, the direct drive gears always provide a direct physical connection or link between the rolling door shaft and the actuators to provide reliable indications of the position of the rolling door.
Motorized window treatment
A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.
Motorized window treatment
A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.
ADJUSTABLE ROLLER SHADES
The present disclosure relates to an adjustable roller shade. In certain embodiments, the adjustable roller shade includes: a roller shade fabric winding shaft, a roller shade fabric wound on the roller shade fabric winding shaft forming upper edge of adjustable roller shade, a weight bar attached to bottom of roller shade fabric forming lower edge of adjustable roller shade, a pair of movable pulleys, two pairs of upward lifting ropes and downward pulling ropes, four winders, four driving motors, and a controller. The controller controls rotations of four driving motors, independently and in concert. Each of the four winders is independently driven by four driving motors respectively. Rotations of four driving motors cause rotations of four winders. Ups and downs of the upper edge and the lower edge of the adjustable roller shade can be achieved by controlling the rotational directions of the four winders, separately and independently.
Control elements for tracking and movement of furniture and interior architectural elements
Improved systems and methods for operating moveable architectural elements (e.g., furniture) are described. The system can include improved features implemented throughout various elements, including hardware elements, controller elements, and/or software elements. As one example, the system can feature the ability to map a characteristic load profile across a particular length of actuation and, if during operation a measured load exceeds the profile, adjust (e.g., stop) the system's motion. The system can also advantageously map its current draw to increase energy efficiency. In addition, the system can include a positioning system that enables it to automatically determine its position upon start up and during operation. In some implementations, the system includes multiple moveable elements (e.g., furniture items). In some cases, power is distributed to the moveable element(s) using a moveable power distribution module. Many other improvements and features are contemplated and described.
Control elements for tracking and movement of furniture and interior architectural elements
Improved systems and methods for operating moveable architectural elements (e.g., furniture) are described. The system can include improved features implemented throughout various elements, including hardware elements, controller elements, and/or software elements. As one example, the system can feature the ability to map a characteristic load profile across a particular length of actuation and, if during operation a measured load exceeds the profile, adjust (e.g., stop) the system's motion. The system can also advantageously map its current draw to increase energy efficiency. In addition, the system can include a positioning system that enables it to automatically determine its position upon start up and during operation. In some implementations, the system includes multiple moveable elements (e.g., furniture items). In some cases, power is distributed to the moveable element(s) using a moveable power distribution module. Many other improvements and features are contemplated and described.