U.S. patent application number 11/039792 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for automatic remote-controlled curtain.
Invention is credited to Jame-San Chou.
Application Number | 20060162877 11/039792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36695473 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060162877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chou; Jame-San |
July 27, 2006 |
Automatic remote-controlled curtain
Abstract
An automatic remote-controlled curtain including an actuating
device and a control device that controls the actuating device, and
which is characterized in that: two ends of an already existent
pull cord of a curtain are respectively joined to a gear pull cord
of the actuating device with clasps, and the gear pull cord is
fitted on a transmission gear of one end of an electric motor. The
control device is connected to another end of the electric motor,
and control members, including an automatic positioning control
member, a temperature control member and a brightness control
member are configured within the control device. An external remote
control controls a receiver that is further configured on the
control device. The aforesaid configuration provides motor-driven
remote control, temperature control and light control to an already
existent curtain having a sliding mechanism, thereby achieving
accurate positioning of curtains and reducing reinstallation
costs.
Inventors: |
Chou; Jame-San; (Banqiao
Shi, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jame-San Chou
P.O. Box No. 6-57
Junghe
Taipei
235
TW
|
Family ID: |
36695473 |
Appl. No.: |
11/039792 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 5/0325
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/331 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/00 20060101
A47H001/00 |
Claims
1. An automatic remote-controlled curtain comprising an actuating
device and a control device that controls the actuating device, and
characterized in that: two ends of an already existent pull cord of
a curtain are respectively joined to a gear pull cord of the
actuating device with clasps, and the gear pull cord is fitted on a
transmission gear of one end of an electric motor; the control
device is configured to another end of the electric motor, control
members, including an automatic positioning control member, a
temperature control member and a brightness control member are
configured within the control device, and an external remote
control controls a receiver that is further configured on the
control device.
2. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 1,
wherein each of the clasps comprise a top cover and a bottom cover,
and indentations are respectively defined in interiors of the top
cover and the bottom cover, which provide for fixing the already
existent curtain pull cords and the gear pull cord therein.
3. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 1,
wherein a plurality of equidistant protruding teeth are provided on
the gear pull cord.
4. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 1,
wherein the electric motor is a direct current motor, a power
transducer is connected to a rear end of the direct current motor,
and the power transducer is plugged directly into a power supply
with a plug, moreover, a decelerator mechanism is configured on a
front end of the electric motor.
5. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 4,
wherein the decelerator mechanism is structured to comprise a
plurality of decelerating gears, and a transmission gear further
outwardly extends from the decelerator mechanism.
6. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 1,
wherein the external remote control is an infrared transmitter, and
the corresponding receiver is an infrared receiver, moreover, an
LED (light-emitting diode) display device is installed in the
receiver.
7. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 1,
wherein the external remote control is a radio frequency
transmitter, and the corresponding receiver is a radio frequency
receiver, moreover, the LED (light-emitting diode) display device
is installed in the receiver.
8. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 1,
wherein the automatic positioning control member is configured to
the rear end of the electric motor, and comprises a microcomputer
control device, a travel detector and a sensor.
9. The automatic remote-controlled curtain as described in claim 1,
wherein an automatic recognition member is configured within the
control device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an improved structure for
an automatic remote-controlled curtain, and more particularly to a
structure that can be connected to a manually pulled sideward or
vertical curtain structure, thereby achieving objective of
automatic or electric remote-control opening and closing of a
curtain.
[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] According to a common saying: "The window is the soul of the
house, the curtain is the spirit of the window." Allowing for
natural lighting is one function of the window. However, heat
carried by sunlight directly shining into the home is often
unbearable to persons, thus, curtains fitted to the windows enable
blocking or adjusting direct irradiation from rays of light.
Furthermore, a set of appropriately fitted curtains can not only
block sunlight from entering the home, moreover, when necessary,
the curtains can also provide privacy to a person. In addition, if
a person desires to achieve better heat retention or soundproofing
effectiveness of a room, thick or lined curtains can effectively
maintain the temperature of the room and absorb noise. Curtains not
only provide a practical function, but can also be regarded as an
embellishment to the home, particularly when matched with
decorative material used for covering sofas and cushions, thereby
better setting off consistency in the style of the home.
Conventional curtain types include sideward pull curtains, vertical
window blinds, vertical rolling blinds and horizontal window
blinds. Wherein area needed for the sideward opening pull curtain
is relatively large, and material, design and color, and
manufactured styles come in a multitude of variations. Therefore,
curtains can not only achieve objective of reducing temperature of
the room, moreover, they can embellish the living space of a room,
in addition to having functionality and eye appeal. The majority of
conventional sideward pull curtains are manually operated, and, in
order to enhance convenience of use, electric remote-controlled
sideward opening and closing pull curtains have appeared on the
market, as depicted in FIG. 1, wherein pulleys a2 are respectively
mounted on two ends of a curtain track a1 of an already existent
curtain a. Moreover, a pull cord a3 is fitted on the pulleys a2. An
elastic device a4 is affixed to the pulley a2 of one end of the
curtain track a1, which enables the pull cord a3 to maintain a
tight state when in use. The pulley a2 of the other end of the
curtain track a1 is connected to a transmission shaft of an
electric motor a5, and a control device a6 controls forward and
reverse rotation of the electric motor a5, thereby achieving
functionality that realizes sideward opening and closing of
curtains a7. However, when in use, such a configuration is
generally unable to achieve accurate positioning of the curtains
a7, and may result in damage to structural assembly of the electric
remote control device. Moreover, when installing, the complete
curtain track a1 assembly is necessarily replaced, causing great
inconvenience. Therefore have the necessity to take into the
improvement. Hence, there is a need for improvement in prior
art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In light of the aforementioned shortcomings of a
conventional configuration, the inventor of the present invention,
having accumulated years of experience in related arts, attentively
and circumspectly carried out extensive study and exploration to
ultimately design a completely new structure for an automatic
remote-controlled curtain.
[0006] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an automatic remote control device that can be installed within a
slide groove of an already existent curtain, thereby providing
convenience of use and installation, and substantially reducing
cost of installation. Moreover, the remote control device provides
an accurate positioning method that facilitates operating the
curtain.
[0007] A second objective of the present invention is to provide
the automatic remote device that automatically regulates degree of
opening and closing of the curtains in response to temperature and
light brightness, thereby increasing functionality of the already
existent curtain.
[0008] In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the
automatic remote-controlled curtain of the present invention is
primarily structured to comprise an actuating device and a control
device that controls the actuating device. The actuating device
comprises an electric motor and a gear pull cord, and the control
device comprises control members, including an automatic
positioning control member, a temperature control member and a
brightness control member. An external remote control controls a
receiver that is further configured on the control device. Two ends
of an already existent pull cord of the curtain are respectively
joined to the gear pull cord within the actuating device with
clasps, and the gear pull cord is fitted on a transmission gear of
one end of the electric motor of the actuating device, thereby
providing a one-speed gear mechanism between the transmission gear
and the electric motor, and which is used to regulate the rotating
speed of the electric motor. The control device is configured to
another end of the electric motor, and the automatic positioning
control member is used to fix positioning of the curtains.
[0009] According to the aforementioned configuration, the present
invention can be installed on terminal ends of the pull cord of the
already existent and installed curtain, thereby providing a
shortcut to upgrading the traditional curtain not having a remote
control function, and enabling extremely simple installation. The
gear pull cord within the automatic remote control device is simply
joined to the already existent pull cord with the clasps, and
travel distance appropriately adjusted, thereby realizing simple
and convenient installation, and savings in installation cost.
[0010] The present invention uses the automatic positioning control
member, and a travel detector that detects distance traveled by
each turn of the electric motor. Positioning principle is realized
by the travel detector detecting two signals on each turn of the
electric motor, and the two signals are used as a count base. The
electric motor turns 2000 to 2400 times per minute, reduction rate
of the decelerator mechanism is 60, and external diameter of the
transmission gear is 1 cm. Assuming distance to travel in one
minute is one meter, then the transmission gear needs to rotate 100
times, and, the electric motor thus rotates 100 multiplied by 60
times, that is, 6000 times, and the travel detector receives 12000
signals. Therefore, each time a signal is received, the curtain
travels a distance equal to 1000 mm divided by 12000 signals, that
is, a distance of 0.083 mm. In other words, after the user has
first set the maximum distance the curtains can travel by
completely opening and completely closing the curtains, then the
corresponding count value at any position during course of opening
or closing the curtains can be calculated, and the preset count
values can be stored in the control device, thereby achieving
objective of accurate positioning of the remote-controlled curtains
at any preset positions. Moreover, the present invention can
function in conjunction with the temperature control member and the
brightness control member receiving signals, wherewith automatic
adjusting of degree of opening or closing of the curtains can be
realized, thereby providing the already existent curtain with
increased functionality.
[0011] To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the
technological methods of the invention herein, brief description of
the drawings is provided below followed by detailed description of
the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of a conventional
curtain.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a structural elevational view according to the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an exploded schematic view of a clasp and an
already existent pull cord and a gear pull cord according to the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the curtain pull cord
connected to an electric motor according to the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows an assembled schematic view of the electric
motor and a control device according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a control flow chart according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, which shows an automatic
remote-controlled curtain of the present invention primarily
comprising an actuating device 10 directly joined to an already
existent curtain 2, and a control device 20, which controls
actuation of the actuating device 10, connected to one side of the
actuating device 10. Wherein:
[0019] the actuating device 10, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4,
comprises an electric motor 11 and a gear pull cord 12, two ends of
which are respectively connected to two ends of a pull cord 2a of
the already existent curtain 2 by means of clasps 13. Each of the
clasps 13 comprise a top cover 13a and a bottom cover 13b, and
indentations 13a1, 13b1 are defined in interiors of the top cover
13a and the bottom cover 13b respectively, which provide for fixing
the already existent curtain pull cords 2a and the gear pull cord
12 therein. Moreover, a plurality of equidistant protruding teeth
12a are provided on the gear pull cord 12. The electric motor 11 is
a direct current motor, forward and reverse rotation of which can
be rapidly actualized. Furthermore, a power transducer 11a is
connected to a rear end of the direct current motor 11, and the
power transducer 11a is plugged directly into a power supply with a
plug 11a1. A decelerator mechanism 11b is disposed on a front end
of the electric motor 11, and used to regulate the rotating speed
of the electric motor 11. Interior of the decelerator mechanism 11b
is structured to comprise a plurality of decelerating gears 11b1,
and a transmission gear 11b2 further outwardly extends from the
decelerator mechanism 11b;
[0020] the control device 20 comprises an automatic positioning
control member 21, a temperature control member 22 and a brightness
control member 23. An external remote control 25 controls a
receiver 24 that is further configured in the control device 20.
The remote control 25 is an infrared transmitter or a radio
frequency transmitter. The corresponding receiver 24 is an infrared
receiver or a radio frequency receiver. Moreover, an LED
(light-emitting diode) display device 24a is installed in the
receiver 24, and used to indicate reception or not of signals. The
automatic positioning control member 21 is configured to the rear
end of the electric motor 11. Referring to FIG. 5, the automatic
positioning control member 21 comprises a microcomputer control
device 21a, a travel detector 21b and a sensor 21c. The temperature
control member 22 and the brightness control member 23 are
connected to the electric motor 11, thereby enabling the present
invention to regulate degree of opening and closing of the curtain
in response to temperature and light brightness. An automatic
recognition member 26 is further configured within the control
device 20. When a plurality of remote-controlled curtains are
fitted, the same remote control 25 can be used to control the
curtains without causing mutual interference of the signals, which
would otherwise result in simultaneous, opening or closing of the
plurality of curtains. The user needs only to set the remote
control before use or the automatic recognition member 26 can
effectuate automatic setting, thereby preventing interference when
two family members are simultaneously operating the
remote-controlled curtains.
[0021] According to the aforementioned structure, two ends of the
already existent pull cord 2a of the curtain 2 are respectively
joined to the gear pull cord 12 of the actuating device 10 with the
clasps 13, and the gear pull cord 12 is then directly fitted on the
transmission gear 11b2 of one end of the electric motor 11 of the
actuating device 10. Referring to FIG. 6, which shows a control
flow chart of the present invention that utilizes an external
remote control or uses temperature and light brightness control
members to automatically control positioning of the curtains.
[0022] In conclusion, the automatic remote-controlled curtain of
the present invention can be directly installed on an already
existent curtain structure, thereby providing convenience of
installation and use, and substantially reducing cost of
installation. Moreover, the present invention provides a
positioning method that facilitates operation of the curtains.
Furthermore, the present invention also includes additional
temperature and brightness automatic control members, which
automatically adjust degree of opening and closing of the curtains
in response to the temperature and light brightness, thereby
increasing functionality of the already existent curtain.
Practicability and advancement of the present invention clearly
comply with essential elements as required for a new patent
application. Accordingly, a new patent application is proposed
herein.
[0023] It is of course to be understood that the embodiments
described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the
invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be
effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *