A shielding device for opening and closing a shielding member by rotation of a winding shaft, the shielding device including a speed controller configured to control an automatic movement speed of the shielding member, wherein the speed controller includes: a housing containing a viscous fluid; and a moving member contained in the housing and configured to move by rotation of the winding shaft, and the speed controller is configured so that resistance the moving member receives from the viscous fluid varies with movement of the moving member, is provided.

A method for determining a fully extended position of a screening body (14) of a screening device (12) for a roof window. The screening device (12) comprises a control unit comprising a data storage device, an electric motor (18) comprising a tachometer (181), a roller tube (15), a screening body (14) and a first and a second spring element (164, 174). The method comprises the steps of driving the screening body (14) from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position, in which the spring elements (164, 174) are tensioned to a first tension level, T.sub.1, stopping the electric motor (18) at a point at which the spring elements (164, 174) are tensioned to a second tension level, T.sub.2, above the first tension level, T.sub.1, measuring the number of revolutions, R.sub.d, of the roller tube (15) necessary to drive the screening body (14) to the said position at which the motor (18) is stopped, storing the measured number of revolutions, R.sub.d, in the data storage device, measuring the number of revolutions, R.sub.b, of the roller tube, that a release of a tension corresponding to the difference, T, between the first tension level, T.sub.1, and the second tension level, T.sub.2, will cause the roller tube (15) to move back towards the fully retracted position, storing the number of revolutions, R.sub.b, in the data storage device, and calculating and storing in the data storage device a value R=R.sub.dR.sub.b.

Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An architectural covering assembly including an architectural covering; a tube to which the architectural covering is coupled; a manual controller operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube; a motor including a motor housing and a motor shaft; and a clutch assembly including a clutch and a clutch housing in which the clutch is disposed, the motor shaft coupled to the clutch and the clutch coupled to the manual controller to hold the motor shaft substantially stationary when the architectural covering is moved under an influence of the motor to cause the motor housing to rotate with the clutch housing and the tube.

The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.

A motorized lift assembly for a window covering includes movable window covering material and cords for moving the window covering material, the motorized lift assembly includes a motor assembly including a motor, a speed reducing gear train driven by the motor for adjusting positions of the cords, and the motor being a low voltage, high speed motor operating at greater than 12,000 rpm.

A venetian blind drive, with a geared motor, consisting of an electric motor and a reduction gear unit, a drive housing, a motor mount for the geared motor, a damping device arranged between the motor mount and the geared motor, and a damping mechanism for the damping means on the geared motor. A generic drive that can be produced and mounted in an easy and economical manner, has a low number of parts, and has reliable structure-borne sound insulation.

Apparatus and methods for controlling architectural opening coverings are described herein. An example apparatus includes a roller tube, a motor including a motor drive shaft and a motor casing, the motor casing to rotate with the roller tube, and a manual control including a manual control drive shaft coupled to the motor drive shaft, the motor to apply torque to the roller tube through rotation of the motor casing.

A motorized lift assembly for a window covering includes a movable window covering material and cords for moving the window covering material. The motorized lift assembly also includes a motor assembly including a motor, a speed reducing gear train driven by said motor for adjusting positions of said cords, where the motor is a low voltage, high speed motor operating at greater than 12,000 rpm.

A window covering includes a movable window covering material, lift cords for moving the material, a lift cord take-up shaft for gathering and releasing lengths of the lift cords to move the window covering material, and a motorized lift assembly. The motorized lift assembly includes a motor assembly including a motor, a gear train drivingly connected to and operated by the motor, and a driveshaft drivingly connected to the gear train and to the lift cord take-up shaft. The gear train includes a plurality of planetary gear stages.

Embodiments of a two-way output reverse-torque clutch described herein may include a torque input having a segmented race, a pin removably disposed adjacent to, and between, at least two segmented race segments, a torque output rotatably disposed within the segmented race, and an outer race encircling the segmented race. The torque output may include a cam surface with an interference point corresponding to at least one of the one or more pins. The cam surface may have an interference point. The outer race may be in slideable contact with the segmented race. A torque exerted directly on the output may force the interference point against the pin, wedging the pin between the interference point and the outer race and preventing torque from being transmitted to the input from the output. The clutch may prevent torque from being transmitted to the torque input from the torque output with one pin.