US 11,834,903 B2 · Motor assemblies for architectural coverings

Motor assemblies for architectural coverings

AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.

InventorsJames M. Anthony, Kevin M. Dann, Daniel A. Huber, Paul Brayford, Douglas J. Lorenz, James Kolozs, Ronald Holt, Todd Nelson, Shelby Jared Yenzer, Charles Cooper, Peter Zagone, Stephen T. Wisecup, Jan Prügner, Robert Witt, Jörg Schierz

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Abstract

Example motor assemblies for architectural coverings are described herein. An example motor assembly includes a motor, a first switch to trigger the motor to retract an architectural covering, a second switch to trigger the motor to extend the architectural covering, and an actuator positioned to activate the first switch when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and to activate the second switch when the actuator is rotated in a second direction. Also described herein are example lever actuators for motor assemblies of architectural coverings. An example lever actuator detaches from the motor assembly to prevent excess force on the motor assembly that could otherwise detrimentally affect the motor assembly.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A circuit board for an architectural covering, the circuit board comprising:

a set of switches to control movement of the architectural covering;
and
a motor controller coupled with the set of switches via the circuit board, the motor controller configured to:
detect, while a motor is deactivated, a first-time switch activation, the motor coupled with the architectural covering, the first-time switch activation being based on a rotation in a first direction of an actuator positioned adjacent the circuit board;
determine that the first-time switch activation corresponds to a first switch from the set of switches;
determine that the first switch is associated with a first architectural covering direction;
activate the motor to move the architectural covering in the first architectural covering direction;
detect, while the motor is activated, a second-time switch activation;
and
cease activation of the motor based on the second-time switch activation.

7 more elements

A method for controlling movement of an architectural covering, the method implemented by a motor controller coupled with a set of switches on a circuit board, the method comprising:

detecting, while a motor is deactivated, a first-time switch activation, the motor coupled with the architectural covering, the first-time switch activation being based on a rotation in a first direction of an actuator positioned adjacent the circuit board;
determining that the first-time switch activation corresponds to a first switch from the set of switches;
determining that the first switch is associated with a first architectural covering direction;
activating the motor to move the architectural covering in the first architectural covering direction;
detecting, while the motor is activated, a second-time switch activation;
and
ceasing activation of the motor based on the second-time switch activation.

4 more elements

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, upon execution by a motor controller coupled with a set of switches on a circuit board, cause the motor controller to perform operations comprising:

detecting, while a motor is deactivated, a first-time switch activation, the motor coupled with an architectural covering, the first-time switch activation being based on a rotation in a first direction of an actuator positioned adjacent the circuit board;
determining that the first-time switch activation corresponds to a first switch from the set of switches;
determining that the first switch is associated with a first architectural covering direction;
activating the motor to move the architectural covering in the first architectural covering direction;
detecting, while the motor is activated, a second-time switch activation;
and
ceasing activation of the motor based on the second-time switch activation.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

17/107,485Filed 30 Nov 2020 · continuation

Priority

19 Oct 2016

Published

US 2021/0148167 A120 May 2021

Granted

5 Dec 2023

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

E06B 9/72
Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive: comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller
E06B 9/34
With horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable: roller-type; Roller shutters with adjustable lamellae
E06B 9/68
Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor:…
E06B 9/78
Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor:…

Family

Application62/410,357Us provisional application · filed 19 Oct 2016

Application62/480,523Us provisional application · filed 2 Apr 2017

Application15/787,490Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Oct 2017

US 2021/0148167 A1Pre-grant publication · published 20 May 2021

US 10,851,587 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2018/0106105 A1Published application

US 11,834,903 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.