Electric drive unit (104) for cords of blinds, comprising: a DC driven electric motor (106), a cord winding/unwinding unit (107) driven by the electric motor (106), for winding/unwinding one or more cords (102a) of a blind (103), a control circuitry (105) arranged for controlling the operation of the electric motor (106) by controlling the DC supply of the electric motor (106),
the control circuitry (105) being functionally connected to one or more rotation detection sensors (108), each rotation detection sensor (108) being arranged for detecting increments of the rotation of the electric motor (106) by cooperating with a rotating element (109) driven by the electric motor (106), the rotating element (109) having at least two discrete elements (110), wherein the passage of which is detected as detection pulses by the one or more rotation detection sensor (108), characterized in that the control circuitry (105) is arranged for controlling the electric motor (106) dependent on the time development of the detected passages.

A method for operationally controlling a motor-driven device for driving a home automated closure or sun-shading apparatus includes at least the following steps: measuring (E21), via a measuring device, a first value of the strength of an electrical current passing through an electric motor; determining (E24) a difference in strength relative to the first measured strength value after a period of time starting from the moment that the first strength value is measured has elapsed; selecting (E25) one of the first threshold strength values on the basis of the elapsed time period; comparing (E26) the difference in strength determined relative to the selected threshold strength value; and determining (E27) the presence or absence of an obstacle or end of travel on the basis of the result of the comparison step (E26).

The present disclosure concerns a system for driving a Venetian blind comprising a blind assembly which comprises a Venetian blind, an electric motor for actuating the movement of said Venetian blind and first electronic means configured to generate a drive signal for driving said electric motor; a control unit having drive means for driving the movement of said Venetian blind, a power source for generating a current signal to power said electric motor and second electronic means that are in signal communication with said drive means and with said power source for controlling said electric motor; a two-wire power line disposed between said control unit and said blind assembly to power said electric motor with said current signal and the first electronic means are in signal communication with said second electronic means via said two-wire power line. The system is characterized in that the first electronic means are configured to generate a first data signal identifying the state of said electric motor and to detect a current signal in said two-wire power line identifying the current value absorbed by said electric motor; said second electronic means are configured to receive said first data signal and to detect said current signal, said second electronic means are configured to condition said first data signal and said current signal to thereby generate a second data signal; said first electronic means are configured to receive said second data signal and to condition said second data signal and said current signal, said drive signal being generated as a function of said second data signal.

A method for controlling a motorised drive device including an actuator coupled to a mechanical load includes steps of: a) detecting a loss of electrical power; b) subsequent to detecting a loss of power, transferring at least a portion of the energy stored in a first capacitor connected to the input of a voltage regulator of the drive device to a second capacitor connected to the output of the voltage regulator; c) determining, during a first time period following the loss of power, whether the load has moved; d) when power is restored, controlling the movement of the load into a predefined reference position if mechanical load movement has been determined, or otherwise maintaining the load in its current position.

A method of operating a motorized window covering is presented wherein in response to a standard movement command power is supplied to a motor in a continuous or generally continuous manner thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in a generally continuous manner. However, in doing so, the motor rotates at a fast rate thereby causing elevated noise levels. In response to an automated movement command, power is supplied to the motor by cycling power to the motor between a powered state and an unpowered state thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in an incremental manner. While moving the shade material in this incremental manner is slower, it is substantially quieter. The preferred mode of operation is selected based on whether the movement command is a standard movement command or an automated movement command.

To allow more daylighting and protect against direct solar radiation, the system may include a window shading system that impacts an area (or area of interest). The system may adjust different window shades in different ways and for different periods of time to protect against a direct solar radiation onto an area of interest. The system may provide targeted shadows onto the area of interest. The system may also analyze or predict angles of solar rays that comprise the direct solar radiation and determine an impact of the solar rays on the area of interest, wherein the adjusting of window shades is based on the determining.

A window frame supports a central panel, with two adjacent pivoting side panels. The pivoting side panel includes two frames coupled by a hinge. Two side panel pivot actuators couple to the pivoting side panels. Movable awnings support photovoltaic modules to provide a power source. An awning open-close actuator couples to the movable awnings. Indoor and outdoor sensors send measurements to the controller that, based on the measurements, selectively operates the awning open-close actuator and the side panel pivot actuators.

A motorized wand system is presented for connecting to conventional horizontal and vertical blinds. The motorized wand system includes a housing that houses a motor, a gear box and a motor controller. The wand is twistably connected to the housing. An extender is removably connected to the lower end of the wand to extend the length thereof. The motorized wand system is connected to a conventional horizontal blind by a hook member connected to the tilt knob of the blind and adhering a mounting flange to the head rail of the blind. The motorized wand system is connected to a conventional vertical blind by a mounting member connected to a clip and tilt knob of the vertical blind and a bellows that connects the mounting member and upper end of the motorized wand system. The motorized wand system is controlled individually, or in groups, by twisting, or by a remote.

An apparatus for automating a set of window blinds is described. The apparatus includes a motor and a microcontroller. The motor includes a window blind coupler that couples a window blind tilt rod to the motor. The microcontroller stores instructions that, when executed, instruct the microcontroller to dynamically actuate the window blind coupler via the motor. The instructions include obtaining a desired room temperature, calculating a first temperature gradient between the window-side of the window blinds and the room-side of the window blinds based on a window-side temperature and a room-side temperature, and calculating a second temperature gradient between the room-side temperature and the desired temperature. The instructions further include retrieving a tilted state related to the first temperature gradient, the desired room temperature, and a zero-value second temperature gradient, and activating the motor to turn the window blind coupler to tilt the window blinds to the tilted state.

A method of operating a motorized window covering is presented wherein in response to a standard movement command power is supplied to a motor in a continuous or generally continuous manner thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in a generally continuous manner. However, in doing so, the motor rotates at a fast rate thereby causing elevated noise levels. In response to an automated movement command, power is supplied to the motor by cycling power to the motor between a powered state and an unpowered state thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in an incremental manner. While moving the shade material in this incremental manner is slower, it is substantially quieter. The preferred mode of operation is selected based on whether the movement command is a standard movement command or an automated movement command.