A method relates to the manufacture of a drum for a spring brake for an electromechanical actuator, the drum including a housing configured to house at least one helical spring, an input member and an output member. The housing has an internal friction surface configured to cooperate with at least one coil of the helical spring. The method includes at least one step of mechanical surface treatment of the inner surface of the housing of the drum, the mechanical surface treatment of the inner surface of the housing of the drum being a step of creating grooves on the inner surface of the housing.

Disclosed is an electromechanical actuator including a spring brake including a helical spring, a drum, an input member and an output member. The drum includes a friction surface configured to cooperate with at least one turn of the spring. The output member includes at least one lug. The lug includes a recess provided with at least a first bearing surface configured to cooperate with one of the first and second legs of the spring. The first bearing surface of the recess is inclined with respect to an axis of rotation of the brake at an angle of inclination of non-zero value.

An improved operating system for use in an architectural-structure covering for extending and retracting a covering portion is disclosed. The operating system including an operating element for raising the covering portion and for transitioning the operating system between a retraction mode to raise the covering and an extension mode to lower the covering. To transition between the retraction and extension modes, an operator may move the operating element in a preset direction, such as, in the manner akin to a switch. For example, moving the operating element in a first direction (e.g., a rearward direction away from the operator) shifts the operating system into the retraction mode, while moving the operating element in a second direction (e.g., a forward motion toward the operator) shifts the operating system into the extension mode. In one embodiment, the first and second directions may be transverse to a longitudinal axis of the architectural-structure covering.

An anti-rotation clutch assembly for a manual roller shade regulates rotational retraction and deployment of a window shade. The clutch assembly provides a rotating wheel subassembly comprising a sprocket plate and an extending shaft that carries a window shade. The sprocket plate supports a cable that transmit rotational motion to shaft. The clutch assembly also includes a rotation biasing device comprising springs having tabs. The springs coil around a stem and fits into the shaft. The spring generates spring tension during rotational motion by shaft to create frictional resistance. The frictional resistance limits the rotational velocity of shaft. The tabs engage edges of the elongated openings in the shaft wall during rotational motion by shaft. This engagement restricts rotational motion by shaft, which limits maximum deployment and retraction of window shade. A fixed base anchors the rotating wheel subassembly to a mounting surface. A protective sleeve covers shaft and springs.

An operating system for an architectural covering is provided. The operating system allows at least three modes of operation of an architectural covering. A transmission may be included between an input assembly and an output drive member, and the transmission may be selectively engaged to place the operating system into one of the at least three modes of operation. The operating system may include a first drive section including an input, a second drive section including an output, and a control mechanism arranged to selectively lock an element of the first and second drive sections to control movement of the output of the operating system upon actuation of the input. A shift lock is also disclosed herein. In use, the shift lock operates to restrict shifting operation of the operating system from one operating mode to another.

An electromechanical actuator includes a spring brake with a helical spring, a drum, an input member, an output member and a cap. The drum includes a housing with an inner friction surface configured to cooperate with at least one turn of the spring. The input member includes a driving tooth extending between the input member and the cap. The input member or the cap includes a spacer extending between the input member and the cap. The input member includes a first radial retention element of the spring extending between the tooth and the spacer, along a first side of the brake. Furthermore, the cap includes a second radial retention element of the spring extending between the tooth and the spacer, along a second side of the brake.

A covering for an architectural opening may include a brake assembly including a first housing, a clutch on which the first housing may be mounted, a sleeve, a second housing attached to the sleeve, and a spring element attached to the second housing. The brake assembly may permit relatively unrestricted rotation of the first housing in a first direction, and impart rotational resistance to rotation of the first housing in a second direction. A method for assembling a covering for an architectural opening may include coupling a clutch to a first housing, coupling the clutch to a sleeve, coupling a second housing to the sleeve, mounting the second housing over a hub, and positioning a torsion spring between the hub and the second housing. The brake assembly may be used to impart rotational resistance to extension of a shade member, such as to resist unintended extension of the shade member.

The geared window shade bracket comprises a sprocket having a ring gear on an inside circumference of the sprocket; a chain configured to be engaged with the sprocket such that, in response to pulling on the chain, the sprocket rotates; a sun gear that is configured to be restricted from rotation; one or more planet gears configured to rotate around the sun gear, wherein the one or more planet gears interface with the ring gear; and a planetary carrier configured to mate with the one or more planet gears. In response to the chain being pulled, the sprocket rotates, causing the planet gears to rotate, causing the planetary carrier to rotate, causing the hub to rotate, and causing a shade tube to rotate.

A method relates to the manufacture of a drum for a spring brake for an electromechanical actuator, the drum including a housing configured to house at least one helical spring, an input member and an output member. The housing has an internal friction surface configured to cooperate with at least one coil of the helical spring. The method includes at least one step of mechanical surface treatment of the inner surface of the housing of the drum, the mechanical surface treatment of the inner surface of the housing of the drum being a step of creating grooves on the inner surface of the housing.

An electromechanical actuator includes a spring brake with a helical spring, a drum, an input member, an output member and a cap. The drum includes a housing with an inner friction surface configured to cooperate with at least one turn of the spring. The input member includes a driving tooth extending between the input member and the cap. The input member or the cap includes a spacer extending between the input member and the cap. The input member includes a first radial retention element of the spring extending between the tooth and the spacer, along a first side of the brake. Furthermore, the cap includes a second radial retention element of the spring extending between the tooth and the spacer, along a second side of the brake.