Patent ID: 6782936
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
An automatic lateral arm awning system for a recreational vehicle, the system comprising:awning material having a first and a second end; a roller secured to the material first end for wrapping said awning material thereabout; a header secured to the material second end; a frame for enclosing said roller and awning material and sealing with said header in order to prevent wind generated noise upon driving of said recreational vehicle; an electric motor disposed within said roller for rotating said roller without the use of a counter for determining a number of roller rotations, said awning material unrolling from said roller and extending outwardly from said frame upon rotation of the roller in said one direction and wrapping around said roller upon rotation of the roller in an opposite direction; and means for accommodating for awning material stretch in order to insure sealing between said header and said frame, said means for accommodating awning stretch including a control circuit configured for sampling motor current after start and during steady state running speed, calculating a short term current average, and stopping the motor wherein the motor current exceed the calculated current average by between 25% and 55%.