Apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling a covering for an architectural opening
AssigneeHunter Douglas Inc.
InventorsJames Baugh, Daniel Fluckey, Michael S. Holford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method associated with the extension and retraction of a covering for an architectural opening. More particularly, an apparatus and method which monitors the extension of a shade to control the extension and position when the extension motion of the shade is interrupted.
Claims17
A mechanism for indicating a position of a shade member moving in an extending direction comprising:
- a shade member movable between a retracted and an extended position;
- a motor drive;
- an actuation member operably associated with said shade member and responsive to said motor drive to cause the retraction and extension of said shade member;
- a control system operably associated with said motor drive, said control system monitoring at least one performance characteristic of said shade member and providing at least one control signal to said motor drive;
- a drive mechanism operably positioned between said motor drive and said actuation member;
- said control system monitoring said at least one performance characteristic during extension of said shade member, said performance characteristic having a first value when said shade member is extending, and said performance characteristic having a second value when said shade member is stationary;
- and
- said control system sending said at least one control signal to said motor drive when said second value of said at least one performance characteristic is received.
A method of detecting an obstruction or terminal position to the extension of a shade member comprising:
- providing a drive mechanism having a first orientation during the extension and having a second orientation upon contacting said obstruction or reaching the terminal position.
A mechanism for indicating the interruption of a shade member moving in an extending direction comprising:
- a shade member movable between a retracted and an extended position;
- a motor drive;
- an actuation member operably associated with said shade member and responsive to said motor drive to cause the retraction and extension of said shade member;
- a control system operably associated with said motor drive and including a sensor;
- a drive mechanism operably positioned between said motor drive and said actuation member, said drive mechanism including a first engagement member engaged with said motor drive and a second engagement member engaged with said actuation member, said first and second engagement members rotatable relative to one another between a first and a second orientations;
- said sensor sensing said rotation of said drive mechanism when said first and second members are in said first orientation, and not sensing said rotation of said drive mechanism when said first and second members are in said second orientation;
- and
- said control system, upon said sensor not sensing said rotation, sending at least one control signal to said motor drive to interrupt said motor drive.
A method of detecting an obstruction or terminal position to the extension of a shade member comprising:
- sensing the downward motion of said shade member;
- said downward motion being interrupted by the obstruction or by reaching the terminal position;
- no longer sensing the downward motion of said shade member;
- and
- providing a control signal to a motor to arrest any further downward motion of the shade member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.