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.

A self-powered dynamic photovoltaic sunshade system having sunshades constructed of lightweight ETFE panels covered with at least one thin film of photovoltaic cells. The sunshades track the sun by light detectors, and move against the sun from east to west to block direct rays. The ETFE fabric is stretched on a lightweight frame, which rotates vertically around its axis as a pivotal panel for maximum solar protection. Sunshades rotate to face the sun by day, and reset to a starting position at night. Each sunshade is rotated by a stepped electric motor, powered by thin film(s) of solar photovoltaic cells. Sunshades are suspended between an electric motor shaft and a lower hinge. The sunshades are designed to provide sustainable dynamic shading for building facades exposed to different sun angles, are self-powered, and can generate electric power for other building functions, such as lighting and fan ventilation inside a building.

A modular shade includes at least one module that consists of a head rail unit, a foot rail unit, at least one intermediate rail unit, and a plurality of slat components. A top slat may be coupled to the head rail unit and the intermediate rail unit, and a bottom slat component may be coupled to the intermediate rail unit and the foot rail unit. Further, additional intermediate rail units and intermediate slat components may be added to the module to alter the shape and size of the module, and the module may be coupled to one or more additional modules to change the overall shape and size of the modular shade.

A tilt-control assembly for use with an operating mechanism of an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The tilt-control assembly includes a limiter having an external screw thread and a ball operatively associated with the screw threads so that rotation of the limiter moves the ball relative to the limiter. The screw threads may include variable pitch threads. For example, the screw thread may include a middle thread pitch in a middle portion of the screw thread and an end thread pitch adjacent to the ends of the screw thread, the middle thread pitch being smaller than the end thread pitch. In addition, the limiter and/or screw threads may include a variable diameter. The ball may be positioned within a groove including a contoured surface that substantially corresponds to the variable diameter. The ends of the screw thread may include substantially spherically shaped end portions for receiving the ball therein.

This invention relates to a light regulating system comprising a rail, a plurality of lamellae, lamellae support members, a lamellae rotating actuator system, a measurement system, a detector, and a control unit, wherein an operating member is connected to the lamellae rotating actuator system to allow rotation of the lamellae by manual operation of the operating member, and wherein the control unit is configured to operate in a main automatic mode in which the lamellae rotating actuator system is autonomously driven, provided that the detector indicates that the lamellae support members are in a closed position and there is no indication from the measurement system that the lamellae have been rotated by a user.

A modular shade includes at least one module that consists of a head rail unit, a foot rail unit, at least one intermediate rail unit, and a plurality of slat components. A top slat may be coupled to the head rail unit and the intermediate rail unit, and a bottom slat component may be coupled to the intermediate rail unit and the foot rail unit. Further, additional intermediate rail units and intermediate slat components may be added to the module to alter the shape and size of the module, and the module may be coupled to one or more additional modules to change the overall shape and size of the modular shade.

A retractable covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail in which a control system is mounted and a fabric suspended from the headrail. The fabric is mounted to be moved laterally between a rolled up retracted position and an extended position across the architectural opening. At least one roller about which the fabric can be wrapped is mounted at an end of the headrail for rotation about a vertical axis, and the system includes a flexible control element that is substantially horizontally disposed for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions.

Methods and apparatus to operate a covering of an architectural covering are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a clutch to disengage a motor from moving a covering to facilitate manual operation of the covering of an architectural covering when the motor is not in use; and a controller: to track a covering position based on a first encoder measurement from a first encoder; and to track a motor position when the motor disengages based on a second encoder measurement from a second encoder different from the first encoder.

A self-powered dynamic photovoltaic sunshade system having sunshades constructed of lightweight ETFE panels covered with at least one thin film of photovoltaic cells. The sunshades track the sun by light detectors, and move against the sun from east to west to block direct rays. The ETFE fabric is stretched on a lightweight frame, which rotates vertically around its axis as a pivotal panel for maximum solar protection. Sunshades rotate to face the sun by day, and reset to a starting position at night. Each sunshade is rotated by a stepped electric motor, powered by thin film(s) of solar photovoltaic cells. Sunshades are suspended between an electric motor shaft and a lower hinge. The sunshades are designed to provide sustainable dynamic shading for building facades exposed to different sun angles, are self-powered, and can generate electric power for other building functions, such as lighting and fan ventilation inside a building.

A dual control architectural covering is disclosed. A dual control architectural covering includes a clutch to disengage a motor when the motor is not in use. The dual control architectural covering further includes a manual control to move the covering of the architectural opening while the motor is disengaged. The dual control architectural covering further includes a braking element to resist movement of a drive element of the covering when the motor is disengaged.