Motor-driven curtain or blind assembly

Systems and methods for a motor-driven curtain or blind assembly are provided. For example, in some embodiments the motor drive assembly includes a track, a lead runner, and a plurality of sensors. The track can have a plurality of coils that can be electrically activated to generate an electromagnetic field to cause the lead runner to slide along the track. The lead runner may include magnet housing with a magnet to interact with the electromagnetic field. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors or switches can be disposed between the coils. The sensors can be configured to activate the electromagnetic field locally to cause the lead runner to slide along the track. Examples of the sensors or switches include, but are not limited to, a reed switch, a silicone magnetic switch, an optical switch, a mechanical limit switch, a proximity switch, a magnetic encoder, or an optical encoder.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a curtain or blind assembly. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for a motor-driven curtain or blind assembly.

BACKGROUND

Window coverings can be used to cover a window and/or a portion of a wall. In many cases, window coverings can be used for managing sunlight, creating privacy, or other functional purposes. In addition to these functional uses, window coverings can provide a variety of decorative features to enhance the enjoyment of the space. Common examples of window coverings include drapes, curtains, blinds, and others. Some window coverings include automated systems to aid an individual in opening and closing.

Traditional automated curtain tracks, for example, can use either a belt and pulley or rack and pinion system to move the curtain runners. Both systems typically use a conventional AC or DC motor to drive the systems. The result is a bulky motor(s) at the end(s) of the track. Thus, when using a light curtain fabric or when no curtain is in place, this bulky motor is in plain sight and can be quite unsightly. Furthermore, due to the nature of traditional designs, these systems can produce audible sounds when they are in action. These sounds can originate from the motor as well as the drive system. Both the noise and unsightly placement of the motor can detract from many of the benefits that the automated systems provided. As such, there are a number of challenges and inefficiencies found in traditional curtain and blind assemblies.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are described for motor-driven curtain or blind assembly. In some embodiments, an assembly can include a track, a lead runner, and a plurality of sensors. The track can have a plurality of coils that can be electrically activated to generate an electromagnetic field to cause the lead runner to slide along the track. The lead runner may include magnet housing with a magnet to interact with the electromagnetic field. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors or switches can be disposed between the plurality of coils. The sensors can be configured to activate the electromagnetic field locally to cause the lead runner to slide along the track. Examples of the sensors or switches include, but are not limited to, a reed switch, a silicone magnetic switch, an optical switch, a mechanical limit switch, a proximity switch, a strip of potential meter, a magnetic encoder, or an optical encoder.

In some embodiments, a carrier assembly can be coupled to the magnet housing and/or lead runner. The carrier assembly can include one or more openings that allow a curtain to be attached. In some cases, the assembly can include a solar panel fitted to the side of the track allowing for solar energy to be harvested through a window.

The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, some components and/or operations may be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some of the embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Traditional automated curtain tracks use either a belt and pulley or rack and pinion system to move the curtain runners. Both systems typically use a conventional AC or DC motor to drive the systems. The result is a bulky motor(s) at the end(s) of the track. Thus, when using a light curtain fabric or when no curtain is in place, this bulky motor is in plain sight and can be quite unsightly. Furthermore, due to the nature of the design, these traditional systems can produce audible sounds when the drive system is activated. These sounds mainly come from the motor and the drive system.

In contrast, various embodiments of the present invention provide for systems and methods for an improved motor-driven curtain or blind assembly. Various embodiments of the present invention use a motor track (e.g., a linear motor track) with a linear motor system to eliminate the bulky motor and their respective drive systems. A linear motor is a non-contact drive system. As such, various embodiments can be extremely quiet and can eliminate the bulky motor at the end of the curtain track. In addition, with a linear motor system, there is no need for the belt and pulley and the rack and pinion transfer systems. As a result, the track used in various embodiments of the present invention could be implemented without length limitation. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the track can be made from a combination of one or more materials such as, but not limited to, Aluminum, HS15 (which is an unfilled POM material), C9021 GV1/30 (which is a 26% glass filled material), or XT 20.

For convenience, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to motor-driven curtain or blind assemblies that may be remotely controlled by a mobile device, a smart phone, or other computing platform. Various embodiments are applicable to other operational models and applications where moving a runner from one end of a track to another may be useful such as opening doors, cabinets, drawers, and/or moving various other objects. In addition, the features of many embodiments may be accessed by users using a software package or hardware device (with associated software or firmware) which may be directly installed on or connected to an end user's computer or mobile device. In some cases, access to the software and/or hardware device may be provided through various communication connections such as the Internet.

TERMINOLOGY

The phrases “in some embodiments,” “according to various embodiments,” “in the embodiments shown,” “in one embodiment,” “in other embodiments,” and the like generally mean the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or to different embodiments.

The term “responsive,” “in response,” and other variants include completely and partially responsive.

The term “module” refers broadly to software, hardware, or firmware (or any combination thereof) components. Modules are typically functional components that can generate useful data or other output using specified input(s). A module may or may not be self-contained. An application program (also called an “application”) may include one or more modules, or a module can include one or more application programs.

General Description

FIG. 1is an example of a curved motor track110with a lead runner120that can be used in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. WhileFIG. 1illustrates a curved motor track, other embodiments of the present invention can be used in conjunction with a linear track and/or a track with both linear and curved portions. As illustrated inFIG. 1, motor track110can include a series of coils130(e.g., copper coils) that are fixed along the track. When activated, these coils130can be electrically charged (DC) to generate an electromagnetic field. In some embodiments, lead runner120can include a set of permanent magnets. In addition, some embodiments of lead runner120include a side guiding wheel that can be used to guide the lead runner along motor track110. In addition, a carrier150can be attached to lead runner120. The lead runner120can include one or more openings for attaching other objects (e.g., curtains).

As the electromagnetic field is being generated from coils130, the repelling force between this electromagnetic field and the magnetic field from the permanent magnet propels lead runner120forward or backward along motor track110depending on the polarity of this electromagnetic field. In some embodiments, coils130can be made of copper and may be placed in sets of two. The sets of two coils can be placed side by side. They can be electrically connected with different polarities in order to create alternating North and South poles simultaneously. This would act as a switching process between North and South polarities.

FIGS. 2A-2Dillustrate various views of exemplary components of a motor-driven assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of the motor-driven assembly with track210having coils220affixed and lead runner230configured to slide along the track.FIG. 2Bshows a top view with lead runner230having a permanent magnet240. In the embodiments shown, between coils220are switches250(e.g., reed switches) and sensor260(e.g., hall sensors). In some cases, the sensors can be used for activating an electromagnetic field causing lead runner230to slide in a desired direction.FIG. 2Cshows a cross-sectional view of the motor-driven assembly where lead runner230includes magnetic housing270for housing magnet240. In the longitudinal view illustrated inFIG. 2D, track210and coils220are attached with coil holders280.

Various embodiments provide for a variety of power sources and the elimination of heat in order allow for much greater (almost unlimited) track length. In some embodiments, switches250can be placed in between each coil220. Examples of the types of switches that can be used to active the coil include, but are not limited to, reed switches, silicone magnetic switches, optical switches, mechanical limit switches, proximity switches, magnetic encoders, optical encoders, and others. In some embodiments, the power supply to the coil is “open” and no power is being fed to the coil. In these cases, power to the coil only exists when the permanent magnet runner is directly below it as the magnet field would target the switches (e.g., reed switches) to “Close” the contact and allow power to follow to these coils.

FIG. 3illustrates a partial cutaway of a perspective view of assembly300in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 4illustrates a cross sectional view of assembly300. In the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the assembly includes magnet305, iron core310, coil315, coil carrier320, iron strip325, plastic track330, bus bar335, self adhesive340, copper pin345, copper bushing350, copper lifter355, main housing360, upper guiding wheel365, lower guiding wheel370, and curtain carrier375. Other embodiments of the present invention may include some, all, or variations of the components shown. For example, some embodiment may include iron strip325while other embodiments do not include iron strip325. One advantage of including iron strip325is that with this strip, the electromagnet force may be increased by about 40%. As a result, the size of the coils can be reduced. Another advantage of embodiments that include iron strip325is the ease of assembly when inserting the coil assembly into the track since the coils can be attached to iron strip325.

FIGS. 5A-5Bshow a side view and a bottom view of the coil construction interacting with a single bus bar (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3) whileFIG. 6shows one possible bus-bar construction. In these embodiments, the position of the lead runner can be determined through the use of a potentiometer (not shown).FIGS. 5A-5Bshow a ferrite strip510, coils520, a self-adhesive530, a bus-bar carrier (electrical insulator)540, and a bus bar550.

In one or more embodiments, ferrite strip510can be approximately 30 mm wide and 2 mm thick. Copper coils520can have a height of approximately 3.5 mm, an outer diameter of approximately 15 mm, a wire diameter of about 0.15 mm with a ferrite core525having a diameter of about 7 mm. In some embodiments, copper coil520can include up to 620 turns or more. Coil gap560can be a fixed gap between each coil in some designs. For example, in various embodiments coil gap560can be approximately 2 mm. Self-adhesive530can have a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.2 mm in one or more embodiments. Bus-bar carrier540can have a thickness of about 0.3 mm and bus-bar550can have a thickness of about 0.04 mm in various embodiments. In addition, bus plate570can have a 2×2 mm or greater surface in some embodiments. These dimensions are just examples of the dimensions that can be used in some embodiments. The dimensions can be different in other embodiments and may depend on a variety of factors including the configuration of the assembly, materials used, performance specifications, power specifications, and/or other design considerations.

FIG. 7illustrates a partial cutaway of a perspective view of assembly700in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Assembly700illustrated inFIG. 7is similar to the one shown inFIG. 3. However, in the embodiments shown inFIG. 7, there are two bus bars335(i.e., one bus bar is located on each side of the track).FIGS. 8A-8Bshow a side view and a bottom view of the coil construction interacting with two bus bars (e.g., as shown inFIG. 7) whileFIG. 9shows one possible bus-bar construction.

FIGS. 8A-8Bshow a ferrite strip810, coils820, a self-adhesive830, a bus-bar carrier (electrical insulator)840, and a bus bar850. Each coil820is associated with two bus plates870. The position of the lead runner can be determined by the coil configuration when two bus bars are present.FIG. 9shows a bus bar configuration that can be used in connection with the embodiments shown inFIGS. 8A-8B.

FIG. 10is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary set of components for operating a motor-driven assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in the embodiments shown inFIG. 10, 110-230 volts AC can be used to provide power to power supply module1010which may convert the AC voltage to a DC voltage. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention different power sources can be used to power the assembly.

For example, in some cases, a battery can be used. In other embodiments, a solar power can be used to collect energy from outside and/or inside light. For example, a solar power film can be applied to the window to collect the light and then converted to power to the assembly. The solar panel can run along the length of the track in some embodiments or can be a separate panel (e.g., located outside of a building). A rechargeable battery can be charged using the power generated from the solar panels or thin film. In other embodiments DC power can be supplied from other sources.

Power management module1015can monitor the status of each of the power supplies and switch between multiple power sources. In addition power management module1015can determine whether power should be provided to WiFi transceiver module1020, WiFi memory1025, RF receiver module1030, voltage interface module1035, mosfet driver1040, and mosfets1045. In addition, the amount of power supplied by power management module1015can be adjusted to control the speed or velocity of the lead runner using a real-time feedback loop implemented by speed module1050. Speed module1050can receive measurements or estimate the current velocity, compare the measurement or estimate to a target speed value, and then adjust the strength of the electromagnetic field and/or linear motor1055(e.g., using pulse width modulation).

The motor controller1060can control the operation of the motor via the switching of DC polarity (e.g., mosfet) to the (copper) coils. In some embodiments, the motor controller can be sized to fit into the linear motor track. The motor controller could be placed along the ends of the track in various embodiments. In addition, some embodiments can include one or more power and signal boosters at selected intervals to ensure constant power and good signal reception over the protracted length of the track.

The motor controller can include different modules and/or components for receiving remote control signals. For example, an RF receiver1030that communicates with an in-house remote controller can be used in some embodiments. Another example is a WiFi transceiver1020that works with any smart phone, tablet, or computer. The latter can be a closed-loop system that displays the status of Linear Motor Curtain on the smart phone, tablet, or computer. The commands or communication messages receive via WiFi transceiver1020can be buffered in buffer1065before being sent to motor control unit1060. In some cases, one or more LED indicators1070can be associated with motor control unit1060to provide a visual indication of status of the drive assembly and/or linear motor.

In some embodiments, a keypad interface1075can be used to program motor control unit1060. In other embodiments, adjustments to the maximum speed can be set using a varistor resistor1080. Some embodiments provide for a high voltage interface module1085.

Remote Control

FIG. 11is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary set of components that can be used for creating a remote control interface in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 11, some embodiments of the present invention can include a battery charging module1110to charge batteries1115. Power management module1120monitors the power available from batteries1115and routes power to motor control unit1125, radio frequency module1130, motion sensor1135, backlite driver1140, and/or keypad driver1145. Backlite driver1140can be used to drive backlites1150on the remote control. Keypad driver1145can be used to receive commands from keypad1155. In some embodiments, LED indicators1160can be used to provide the status of the motor control unit1125.

As discussed above, various methods can be used to control the linear motor curtain assembly. For example, in some embodiments, a remote controller (see, e.g.,FIGS. 12A-12B) sends a command to the motor controller to perform the requested function. This would be done, for example, via Radio Frequency (RF). The remote controller used in various embodiments includes three portions: 1) the touch sensor user interface, 2) the control board and 3) the casing.

In some embodiments, the remote controller only has four LED backlight menu buttons as illustrated inFIGS. 12A-12B. After selecting the menu, the requested function would be initialed by gesturing the remote controller. That is, moving the remote controller left or right to open or close the curtain(s) and up or down to stop any movement. This gesture technology is made possible, in some embodiments, by utilizing a three axis motion sensor1135incorporated in the control board. In some embodiments, due to the nature of the casing, the control would be designed on a flexible printed circuit, and would be as thin as possible.

Various embodiments of the present invention can use a projected capacitive touch sensor which can be laminated onto a film and adhered permanently onto the casing and covered over leather. This film can include the touch Sensor driver and the RF antenna.

The remote controller casing could be made of stainless steel, aluminum, wood or plastic molded with leather warp-around. As leather can be colored, embodiments of the remote control can have various color options (e.g., to allow customers to match the color of the remote control to their curtains). The menu LEDs (one color for each menu icon) can light up through the leather to illuminate the icons for ease of selection in dim/dark room environment.

Smart Phone or Tablet Control

In various embodiments, smart phones or tablets can control the linear motor curtain from anywhere in the world as long as WiFi is available. The linear motor curtain can have a built-in WiFi transceiver that works with any smart phones or tablets. In accordance with some embodiments, the control system is a closed-loop system that displays the status of the linear motor curtain on the smart phone or tablet. No set up box is required as it works over the interne. In order to have this feature, various embodiments allow the end-user to download our web-page (APPs from APPLE or ANDROID, see “Smartphone web-page Interface”) user interface into their smart phone and tablet. With these APPs, the user can program every curtain individually by assigning them on the APPs layout.FIGS. 13-17illustrate a mobile device displaying various graphical user interfaces for setting up and operating a motor-driven assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The linear motor curtain can also be hard wired to a programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to be controlled as part of the total home automation system.

FIG. 13illustrates an example of a GUI1300on a home page. Various pictures1310can be used to navigate to various control pages for individual appliances, blinds, rooms, or other specified configurations. For example, upon receiving a user selection to navigate to the living room control page, GUI1300is replaced with GUI1400shown inFIG. 14. The individual icons1410can be used to control items within the living room (e.g., blinds or curtain assemblies). Navigations icons1320can be used to navigate to other GUI screens available with various embodiments of the present invention or to delete icons.

FIG. 15, for example, is one example of a possible GUI screen1500that can be used for customizing the home page shown inFIG. 13. As illustrated inFIG. 15icon1510can be used to add an icon to home page1300. Icons1520and1530can be used to select or change an icon picture and/or name. In some embodiments, bounding box1540can be used to create a password security level. Similarly, icons1550-1570can be used to create/associate a new page link to an icon, define a new page background, or add a custom command.FIG. 16illustrates an example of a GUI screen1600that can be used to setup home page1300.FIG. 17illustrates an example of a GUI screen1700that can be used to add curtains, blinds, lights, or other devices to a profile.

Exemplary Computer System

An exemplary computer system1800, representing an exemplary server or client system, with which various features of the present invention may be utilized, will now be described with reference toFIG. 18. In this simplified example, the computer system1800comprises a bus1801or other communication means for communicating data and control information, and one or more processors1802, such as Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2 processors, coupled with bus1801.

Computer system1800further comprises a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (referred to as main memory1804), coupled to bus1801for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor(s)1802. Main memory1804also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by processor(s)1802.

Computer system1800also comprises a read only memory (ROM)106and/or other static storage device coupled to bus1801for storing static information and instructions for processor(s)1802.

A mass storage device1807, such as a magnetic disk or optical disc and its corresponding drive, may also be coupled to bus1801for storing information and instructions.

One or more communication ports1803may also be coupled to bus1801for supporting network connections and communication of information to/from the computer system1800by way of a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, or the public switched telephone network (PSTN), for example. The communication ports1803may include various combinations of well-known interfaces, such as one or more modems to provide dial up capability, one or more 10/100 Ethernet ports, one or more Gigabit Ethernet ports (fiber and/or copper), or other well-known network interfaces commonly used in current or future internetwork environments.

Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces (not shown), such as a display, keyboard, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus1801to support direct operator interaction with computer system1800. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be provided through network connections connected through communication ports1803.

Finally, removable storage media1805, such as one or more external or removable hard drives, tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical discs, compact disk-read-only memories (CD-ROMs), compact disk writable memories (CD-R, CD-RW), digital versatile discs or digital video discs (DVDs) (e.g., DVD-ROMs and DVD+RW), Zip disks, or USB memory devices, e.g., thumb drives or flash cards, may be coupled to bus1801via corresponding drives, ports or slots.

In conclusion, the present invention provides novel systems, methods and arrangements for motor-driven curtain or blind assemblies. While detailed descriptions of one or more embodiments of the invention have been given above, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without varying from the spirit of the invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.