U.S. patent application number 11/785069 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for motorized awning installation and method of controlling such an installation.
Invention is credited to Pierre-Emmanuel Cavarec.
Application Number | 20070240832 11/785069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37669622 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070240832 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cavarec; Pierre-Emmanuel |
October 18, 2007 |
Motorized awning installation and method of controlling such an
installation
Abstract
This motorized awning installation (I) comprises a winding tube
(1) containing an actuator (6) for turning this tube, and a load
bar (5) supported by hinged arms (4). An awning fabric (3) is
attached to the load bar (5) and is capable of being selectively
wound up onto the winding tube (1). Means (11) are provided for
locking at least one hinged arm (4) in several positions
corresponding to total or partial extension of the awning. This
makes it possible to lock the arms (4) in the extended
configuration and to tension the fabric when stopping the
awning.
Inventors: |
Cavarec; Pierre-Emmanuel;
(Magland, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave
Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37669622 |
Appl. No.: |
11/785069 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 10/0651 20130101;
E04F 10/0659 20130101; E04F 10/0618 20130101; E04F 10/0648
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/070 |
International
Class: |
E04F 10/06 20060101
E04F010/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 2006 |
FR |
06 03353 |
Claims
1. A motorized awning installation comprising a winding tube
containing an actuator for turning this tube, and a load bar
supported by hinged arms, an awning fabric being attached to the
load bar and being capable of being selectively wound up onto the
winding tube, wherein said installation comprises means for locking
at least one hinged arm in several positions corresponding to total
or partial extension of the awning.
2. The installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking
means are electromechanical.
3. The installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking
means comprise a locking member capable of engaging with a
component which moves relative to the arm as a function of its
extension, this member being subjected to the action of an
electromagnet activatable as a function of the operation of a
winding-tube driving actuator.
4. The installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking
means are activatable by the tension of the fabric.
5. The installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein it comprises a
solar panel supplying electricity to a winding-tube driving
actuator.
6. The installation as claimed in claim 1, wherein it comprises a
control unit capable of actuating the locking means and controlling
the winding-tube drive means.
7. A method of controlling a motorized awning installation
comprising a winding tube and a load bar supported by hinged arms,
an awning fabric being attached to the load bar and being able to
be selectively wound up onto the winding tube, wherein said method
comprises, after stopping a movement of extension or retraction of
the awning in a fully or partially extended position, the following
stages: a) locking at least one of the arms in the stopped
position, and b) tensioning the fabric by a complementary winding
up of the fabric onto the tube.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in stage b), the
complementary winding up of the fabric is performed through a
predetermined angle of rotation.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in stage b), the
complementary winding up of the fabric is performed until a
predetermined fabric tension is obtained.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in stage b), the
complementary winding up of the fabric is performed for a
predetermined period.
11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fabric tension
obtained in stage b) is used to lock the arm in stage a).
Description
[0001] The field of the invention is motorized sunshades, and in
particular awnings with hinged or extendable arms, such as
storefront awnings. It relates to a motorized awning
installation.
[0002] An awning installation with hinged arms usually comprises a
winding tube, held at either end in a box or on brackets, with
folding arms, an awning fabric, and a rigid bar known as the load
bar. A tubular actuator provides motive force for the
installation.
[0003] These awnings generally operate on the following principle:
the awning fabric is attached along one edge to the winding tube,
inside which is the tubular actuator. This actuator turns the tube
and so winds or unwinds the fabric. The fabric is also attached
along its opposite edge to the load bar. The load bar is for
keeping the fabric in position and optionally may act as a front
face for closing a box containing the awning. The arms of the
awning are attached at one end to the awning box or to appropriate
brackets, and at the other end to the load bar. They include at
least one hinge between two rigid segments, the hinge enabling them
to fold and unfold. Inside at least one of the rigid segments of
the arms is a spring with one end attached to the segment in which
it is sitting and the other, via a cable or strap or chain, to the
other rigid segment on the further side of the hinge. This spring
is under tension when the arms are folded.
[0004] Arm-type awnings are generally extended in an approximately
horizontal direction. The fabric cannot therefore be extended
simply by the weight of the load bar. To extend the awning, the
arms are caused by the springs to attempt to extend, so that if the
actuator allows the winding tube to rotate, the fabric will be
pulled out by the arms and the awning will extend. When retracting
the awning, the actuator turns the winding tube and the pull of the
fabric draws the arms back in.
[0005] The arm springs generally have a high coefficient of
stiffness. Indeed, it is a requirement that awnings conventionally
sold on the market unwind with the fabric very taut, regardless of
how far the awning is extended, for esthetic and technical reasons,
notably the prevention of pooling of rainwater, greater structural
rigidity, and improved wind resistance.
[0006] Over time, the tensile stresses on the fabric cause it to
stretch and elongate. This may require additional adjustments over
the life of the installation.
[0007] The position of the bottom limit of extension of an awning
is generally identified by a counting device. In this position the
arms are said to be locked, which means that they are extended
slightly beyond the configuration in which their rigid segments
define a straight line. The arms are then locked. This locked
position enables the fabric. and the awning to be properly
tensioned, e.g. against the wind.
[0008] The passage through the locked position, when extending or
more particularly when retracting the awning, requires a high
driving torque between the actuator and the tube. Actuators for
arm-type awnings are therefore designed for a high torque, which is
only really necessary when unlocking the arms. The rest of the
movement requires only a moderate torque.
[0009] The complete awning must meet the requirements of precision,
sensitivity and waterproofing. In view of these requirements, the
motors for known awnings are expensive because the actuators have
to be powerful, capable conventionally of generating a torque of 25
to 120 Nm, and the counting devices have to be elaborate.
[0010] Also, to stop the awning in an intermediate position, a
specific control of the actuator has to be provided in order to
tension the fabric.
[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to solve these
problems, to simplify the control of the movement of an awning, and
at the same time to maintain a fabric tension adapted to market
demands.
[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a motorized awning
installation that comprises a winding tube containing an actuator
for turning this tube, and a load bar supported by hinged arms, an
awning fabric being attached to the load bar and being capable of
being selectively wound up onto the winding tube. This installation
comprises means for locking at least one hinged arm in several
positions corresponding to total or partial extension of the
awning.
[0013] By means of the invention, the locking means enable the
position of the hinged arms to be fixed, which ensures constancy
over time of the relative position of the load bar and of the
winding tube. In addition, the locking action provided in the
various positions makes it possible, in each of these positions, to
apply optimum tension to the fabric. The fully extended position of
the awning can correspond to a configuration of the hinged arms
beyond the configuration in which the arm segments define a
straight line. Thus, when the awning is to be closed, beginning in
this maximum position, it is no longer necessary to apply a high
driving torque, so the power of the winding tube actuator can be
reduced.
[0014] One particularly interesting application of the invention is
to so-called stand-alone awnings, i.e. awnings that run on an
energy source not connected to an electricity mains and possibly
rechargeable, for example, by photovoltaic cells or rechargeable
batteries, where it is particularly important to limit the
electricity consumption and therefore limit the power required by
the actuator when moving the awning and simultaneously keeping the
fabric sufficiently taut.
[0015] The various functions generally associated with awnings are
applicable within the context of the invention, for example the
final approach at low torque or speed, and the destressing of the
fabric. Other advantages associated with the invention are detailed
below: a position counter is not necessary, the awning can move
between stop points, the box at one end and a stop on the arms at
the other. This structure therefore simplifies the actuator which
can more easily be made watertight. Indeed, counting devices are
points of entry for moisture, a difficulty for the manufacturer as
such an awning is mounted out of doors. These stops can also be
used to find the position when operating the awning by hand in a
system with electronic counting if the power is down.
[0016] In accordance with aspects of the invention that are
advantageous but not obligatory, an installation as outlined above
may incorporate one or more of the following features: [0017] The
locking means are electromechanical; [0018] The locking means
comprise a locking member capable of engaging with a component
which moves relative to the arm as a function of its extension,
this member being subjected to the action of an electromagnet
activatable as a function of the operation of a winding-tube
driving actuator; [0019] The locking means are activatable by the
tension of the fabric; [0020] The installation comprises a solar
panel supplying electricity to a winding-tube driving actuator;
[0021] The installation comprises a control unit capable of
actuating the locking means and controlling the winding-tube drive
means.
[0022] The invention also relates to a method of controlling an
installation as described above, and, more specifically, a method
of controlling a motorized awning installation comprising a winding
tube and a load bar supported by hinged arms, an awning fabric
being attached to the load bar and being able to be selectively
wound up onto the winding tube. This method comprises, after
stopping a movement of extension or retraction of the awning in a
fully or partially extended position, the following stages: [0023]
a) locking at least one of the arms in the stopped position, and
[0024] b) tensioning the fabric by a complementary winding up of
the fabric onto the tube.
[0025] Because of the locking in position of the hinged arm, the
method of the invention makes it possible to post-tension the
fabric and thus makes it possible for the correct tension to be
applied to the fabric in whatever position it is stopped.
[0026] In various advantageous embodiments of this method, the
complementary winding up of the fabric is performed in stage b)
through a predetermined angle of rotation, until a predetermined
fabric tension is obtained or for a predetermined duration.
[0027] Finally, in accordance with another advantageous aspect, the
fabric tension obtained in stage b) is used to lock the arm in
stage a).
[0028] The invention will be understood more clearly, and other
features thereof made more clearly apparent, in the light of the
following description of an embodiment of an installation in
accordance with its principle and of a method of controlling this
installation, the description being given by way of non-restrictive
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the principle of an
installation in accordance with the invention,
[0030] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing the principle of
a locking device of a hinged arm belonging to the installation
shown in FIG. 1,
[0031] FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic side views of the installation
shown in FIG. 1 as the awning is extended,
[0032] FIGS. 4A-4F are views similar to FIGS. 3A-3D as the awning
is retracted, and
[0033] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method of controlling the
installation shown in FIGS. 1-4.
[0034] The installation I shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprises a winding
tube 1 in a box 2 mounted on a structure such as a wall of a
building B. An awning fabric 3 is designed to be wound to a greater
or lesser extent on the tube 1.
[0035] The installation I also includes two articulated folding
arms 4 attached at one end to the box 2 and at the other to a load
bar 5 keeping the fabric 3 taut across its breadth. The arms
consist of two rigid segments 41, which may be of metal, connected
by a hinge or elbow 42. At least one of the rigid segments of each
arm 4 is equipped with a tensioning means 10, usually in the form
of a spring which is tensed when the arms 4 are folded. The
tensioning means is attached by a rigid attachment connection, at
one end to the rigid segment comprising the tensioning means 10,
and at the other to the second rigid segment on the further side of
the hinge.
[0036] In a variant, only one of the arms 4 has a tensioning means
10.
[0037] The arms are also each fitted with a locking device 11 for
locking the arms in different positions, preferably in any desired
position along their path of extension.
[0038] A locking device 11 is shown schematically in FIGS. 2A and
2B. This device sits inside an arm segment, the segment 41 for
example. It acts on a first rigid rod 43 inserted in the rigid
attachment connection, between the tensioning means 10 and the arm
hinge.
[0039] Because of the articulation at the hinge, the rigid rod
undergoes translational movements represented by the double arrow
F.sub.2, these movements being linked to the change in length of
the tensioning means 10, relative to the arm segment 41.
[0040] Since the locking device is fixed to the arm segment 41, the
springs are unable to extend the arms when the locking device
prevents translational movement of the rigid rod.
[0041] This device comprises a mechanical locking member 111
defining a slot 112 in which the rigid rod 43 is engaged. The
member 111 is hinged about an axis X.sub.111 perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis X.sub.43 of the rigid rod, which coincides with
the longitudinal axis X.sub.41 of the segment 41. The pivot
mounting is fixed to the arm segment 41. The dimensions of the slot
112 are such that the segment 41 can slide through this slot when
the member 111 is lying in a direction D.sub.111approximately
perpendicular to the axis X.sub.43. The member 111 is acted upon by
a return spring 113 which applies to it a force F.sub.1 tending to
tilt the member 111 about the axis X.sub.111, making the direction
D.sub.111no longer perpendicular to the axis X.sub.41. In this
configuration, the member 11 prevents movement of the rigid
rod.
[0042] The return spring 113 is also attached to the arm segment
41.
[0043] An electromagnet 114 is arranged close to the member 111,
which is made of a magnetic material. The electro-magnet is
designed so that when it is on, it keeps the member 111 firmly in
the configuration shown in FIG. 2A, in opposition to the force
F.sub.1, so that the rigid rod 43 can slide through the slot 112,
in the direction of the double arrow F.sub.2 in this figure.
[0044] When the electromagnet 114 is de-energized, as shown in FIG.
2B, the member 111 tilts about the axis X.sub.111 under the action
of the force F.sub.1. The slot 112 is thus oriented in such a way
that it prevents the rigid rod from sliding through it.
[0045] The electromagnet is also attached to the arm segment
41.
[0046] Inside the winding tube 1 is a tubular electrical actuator 6
with an output shaft (not shown) turning the tube 1 in first and
second directions. Locking this output shaft, for example by a
brake (not shown), will also keep the winding tube locked.
[0047] When the awning is being extended, the actuator 6 at least
partly releases the brake, allowing the winding tube to rotate in a
first direction. The arms 4 are forced by the tensioning means 10
to extend, taking with them the load bar 5 and the fabric 3. The
tensioning means may have a relatively low constant of
stiffness.
[0048] The actuator also includes a device 7 inside the actuator,
for monitoring the torque transmitted by the actuator (motor
torque) or experienced by it (resistive torque). This monitoring
device 7 provides indirect monitoring of the tension of the fabric
3.
[0049] The installation 1 also includes a solar panel 8 comprising
a number of photovoltaic cells and an electronic unit 9, inside the
actuator, for controlling the tension of the fabric 3. The solar
panel can power the actuator 6 and/or the locking devices 11.
[0050] In a variant, the actuator 6 or the devices 11 may be
powered by rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries.
[0051] When the fabric is being wound up, the actuator 6 turns the
winding tube 1 in a second direction, pulling the fabric 3 and
forcing the arms 4 to fold.
[0052] The method of operating the installation is shown in FIGS.
3A-3D and 4A-4F.
[0053] In an initial open position, FIG. 3A, the arms are locked
and the awning fabric is taut.
[0054] Following a command to extend, the tensioning means 10
and/or gravity open the arms and unwind the awning in the direction
of arrow F.sub.3 in FIG. 3B. Since the tensioning means 10 have
little stiffness, the fabric 3 is now relaxed. When the awning
reaches a desired position, the devices 11 are actuated to lock
each of the arms 4 in position.
[0055] More precisely, when the actuator 6 is activated, the
electromagnet 114 is powered, so that the member 111 adopts the
position shown in FIG. 2A. When the awning reaches the desired
position shown in FIG. 3C, the actuator 6 is stopped and the power
to the electro-magnet 114 is turned off, so that the member 111
adopts the configuration seen in FIG. 2B, where the portion 41 of
the corresponding arm 4 is immobilized by the member 111, as
represented by arrow F.sub.4 in FIG. 3C.
[0056] The awning can be stopped in the desired position either by
the user or by an automatic command, for example on the basis of a
position signal or a signal from the device 7 or from a sensor
connected to the awning.
[0057] In this way, the invention makes it possible to lock each
arm 4 in any fully or partially extended position.
[0058] After stopping and locking the arms 4 in the desired
position, the actuator 6 automatically turns the winding tube 1 in
the reverse direction to tension the fabric again, as shown by
arrow F.sub.5 in FIG. 3D.
[0059] This extra tension in the fabric 3, which is caused by a
complementary winding up of the fabric onto the tube 1, has the
effect of applying to the portion 41 of the arm 4 a force F.sub.6
which, as shown in FIG. 2B, is added to the force F.sub.2 of the
spring 113 to lock the member 111 on the portion 41. In other
words, the tension of the fabric itself can, via the force F.sub.6,
activate the locking device 111.
[0060] To close the awning, the method is applied in the reverse
order. Once again, in the initial open position shown in FIG. 4A,
the arms are locked, as represented by arrow F.sub.4, and the
awning fabric is taut.
[0061] Following a command to close the awning, the actuator turns
the winding tube in a first direction of rotation indicated by
arrow F.sub.7 so as to relax the fabric 3 and mechanically free the
arms 4, as shown in FIG. 4B. The device 11 is then unlocked, as
shown by arrow F.sub.4 in FIG. 4C, whereupon the actuator turns the
winding tube in a second direction, that of arrow F.sub.8, to wind
up the fabric and fold the arms, as shown in FIG. 4D. During this
folding stage, monitoring is applied in order to stop the rewinding
action when a threshold is reached. The parameter monitored in this
stage by the unit 9 may be the actuation time, an angle of rotation
or a torque. When a predetermined value of the monitored parameter
has been reached, the complementary winding of the fabric 3 is
stopped. The monitored parameter can be defined during a learning
process.
[0062] The fabric 3 is now under gentle tension.
[0063] Once in the desired position, the actuator is stopped, as
shown in FIG. 4E. The locking devices 11 are then activated, as
shown by arrow F.sub.4 in FIG. 4F. The actuator then turns the
fabric in the direction of arrow F.sub.1o to increase the tension
on it and mechanically lock the arms.
[0064] During mechanical tensioning of the fabric or during
complete closure of the awning, e.g. when sealing the box shut, the
actuator must deliver peak torque during a short movement and at a
very low speed.
[0065] For this purpose, the use of a d.c. motor actuator, rather
than an asynchronous motor is found to be of particular advantage,
d.c. motors being capable of running efficiently at a nominal speed
but also of supplying a closing torque much greater than the
nominal torque.
[0066] The actuator 6 advantageously comprises an electric brake
(not shown) capable of holding this closing torque.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing the stages described
above:
[0068] The awning is unwound (stage 201) until stopped in a desired
position (stage 202). As it stops, the locking devices 11 are
actuated (stage 203). After this stage the awning is retracted
slightly (stage 204), i.e. a complementary winding up of the fabric
onto the tube 1 is performed, to tension the fabric 3 and possibly
to lock the arms mechanically as explained above with reference to
the force F.sub.6. During this retracting stage, monitoring is
applied (stage 205), as explained above, to discontinue the
retraction when a threshold is reached. When the monitored
parameter has reached a predetermined value (stage 206), the
complementary winding of the fabric 3 is stopped (stage 207).
[0069] The invention has been illustrated with one particular type
of locking device shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This device 11 has the
advantage of limiting the consumption of electricity of the
electromagnet 114, which only needs to be powered when the arm 4 on
which it acts is being extended or retracted.
[0070] Other locking systems may be envisioned, such as fully
mechanical systems that self-lock depending on the direction of
movement applied by the actuator. Other electromechanical locking
systems may also be envisioned.
[0071] It is not essential for the tension of the fabric to
activate the locking device 11 or equivalent, since the device can
be controlled independently of the force F.sub.6. Alternatively,
the locking device may be controlled by this force alone, as for
example in the case of a fully mechanical self-locking device.
[0072] In a variant, the locking member, 111 or equivalent, of the
locking device 11 may act directly on one of the segments 41 of the
arm 4 or on a locking catch of this arm.
[0073] The invention is also applicable where only one of the arms
4 is equipped with a locking device 11.
* * * * *