System for automating a sliding panel louver and method of retrofitting the same

A system for controlling a louver blind mobile panel that is moveable along a rail installed in a living space construct. The mobile panel featuring an inner volume capable of housing at least one motor that is functionally coupled to an electronics unit. The electronics unit is controlled with a wireless remove controller to control the activity of the at least one motor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to louvered window and in particular to a system for automating the movement of a louver window shutters installed on a sliding panel and retrofitting the same on existing non-automatic window shutters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shutter and/or blind systems are commonly used to control both shading and airflow in living space openings such as in apartments and/or homes. Shutter systems are used in various locations and are commonly found in windows, doorways that generally vary in size based on the size of the opening. Shutter systems are used to control a tradeoff between shading and airflow within the living space. In hot climates the shutter system is preferably external to a glass system that closes the same opening, since internal mounting cause's heat to accumulate inside the room.

Certain types of shutters and/or blinds are fit with a lever to provide a single control point capable of controlling a group of shutters and/or blinds, such that a group of shutters can be simultaneously controlled to assume a certain shading angle, usually in the form of a manual lever. Such shutter and/or blind system that is fit with at least one lever for controlling a group of shutters and/or blinds is commonly known as a louver and/or a louvered shutter.

State of the art louvered shutter systems are mounted on rectangular frames are very common and very practical, and are commonplace in many Mediterranean states as the louver shutter systems is well suited for Mediterranean weather conditions that features high solar radiation.

The louvered shutters are used in a wide range of sizes, ranging from a single frame for a small window, for example having dimensions of about 60 cm by 80 cm, to multiple interfacing frames to cover a large living space opening, for example having dimensions of about 600 cm by 260 cm. In such louver systems at least one or more panels are configured to move sideways in order to fully open the living space opening, it may be fully closed with blinds engaging to completely block the opening, or the frames may be placed in a position to block the opening while controlling the level of shading and/or penetrating sunlight by manually controlling the angular position of at least a group of the louvers at the various levered control points.

Control of the group of louvers is provided by way of tilting the lever to assume an angle of up to 180 degrees to interchangeably control the level of shading and airflow within the living space.

A single frame of louvered blinds, for typical small window, slides sideways on a bottom and/or top rail into a wall pocket construct disposed between the internal and external walls or outside the external wall. Larger windows have multiple frames that slide on rails either to a pocket construct, as described above, or stacking one in front of the other to maximize the non-blocked open portion. Large frames typically include a number of, generally two to six, groups of louvered blinds, where each group is configured to be independently controlled with its own lever and/or swivel handle, to allow tilting of each group of blinds separately.

The set of louvered shutters are most commonly fit along the external walls of the living space for example defining a window, patio and/or porch. However, louvered shutters may be fit over any open living room space.

While the functionality of state of the art louvered shutters and/or blinds in sliding frames, are excellent in terms of shading and airflow control within a living space, however state of the art louvered shutters systems of the above described type are operated manually. Operating is done by changing the blinds groups tilt angle manually with small levers and sliding the carrying panel sideways.

There are many commercially available automatic systems to control the shading and/or degree of light penetrating within a living space while controlling the airflow in the same living space. However, such automated systems are most commonly controlled with motors that function to move the shutters by way of collectively rolling them up and down. In other automated systems shutters and/or blinds are tilted by motor(s) however such systems are suited for shutter types that are rolled up/down within a static and/or fixed framework such as a wall. Such rolled shutter systems utilize a fixed external motor system disposed within a confined space, niche or the like housing, for example a dedicated niche within a wall. Typically the motor is placed in a dedicated niche within the wall on top of the window and/or opening therein only allowing a vertical movement of up and down, while not allowing use of the shutters in the lateral and/or sideway direction. Furthermore, such shutters are limited in the degree to which they may be opened or closed. Similarly such systems are further limited in that the motors do not provide full control of the opening in the vertical direction (up/down) where for example, only a portion of the blinds may be controlled from bottom to top, that is a partial opening where the top portion of the blinds are open while the bottom portion is closed is not possible with such motorized roll-up shutter systems. In other commercially available automated systems the control of is limited to tilting the louvers without any option for moving the frame as it is fixed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the background by providing a system and method for automating a framed living space area opening and/or partition that are used to house louvered blinds systems, shutters and the like systems for controllably opening the air space opening to allow air to flow therethrough, most notably for shutters systems that are external to (behind) the glass windows.

In embodiments, the present invention may be used to provide remotely controlled lateral movements of at least one or more framed objects, for example including but not limited to a sliding panel, a sliding panel comprising a louver blinds, glass window, sliding doors or the like.

In embodiments, the present invention may be utilized to remotely and controllably provide lateral movement of framed objects provided within a framed living space area opening, wherein a framed living space area opening may for example include but is not limited to windows, patios doorway, back yard doorway, sliding doors, solariums doors, the like or any combination thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for automating the use of a framed construct used within the framed living space area opening, for example including but not limited to framed louver blinds, blinds, windows, sliding doors the like or any combination thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for readily retrofitting such framed living space openings without requiring constructional changes to the existing framed living space area framework, for example walls, doorways, crossbar, frame head or the like constructs. In embodiment, such retrofit is especially suitable for mounting the device, and/or system constituents, and/or parts within commercially available structural components of individually sliding panels and/or frames that are used for manual operation, for example including but not limited to aluminum profiles, that are by far the most common, or the like frames as is known in the art.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an automation system that is preferably embedded within the framework of the panel and/or framed construct that is automated. The embedded automation system preferably includes: at least one controller, at least one or more motor units, at least one or more power source and at least one remote communication module, all deployed within an internal volume of the movable framed construct and/or panel. For example, an automated louver frame system may be fit within a framed living space framework without requiring constructional changes.

In embodiments the present invention provides for achieving all the automation functionality with minimal alterations to an existing manual shutters or blind system, for example as described in the background section above, wherein the alteration required is limited to the shutter system's framework, so as to allow mounting the system parts within an open inner volume of pane and/or frame. The small changes to the system by mounting the system within the framework provide for maintaining the maximal dimensions of the louvered section within the living space opening therein maximizing airflow while maintaining a low profile of the overall system. Preferably retrofitting the panel and/or frame with the system of the present invention does not increase the thickness of the frame and/or panel therein maintaining its ability to overlap with adjacent frames.

The current invention allows for the automation of framed constructs, for example in the form of a louver blind system disposed over a window or a patio doorway. Automation of the louvered blinds provides a user with the ability for example to control the louvered blind position and/or angle within a framed louver. Similarly, the position of the framed construct, for example forming a sliding doorway, within the framed living space framework.

The current invention provides for retrofitting the automation system within an existing framed living space opening framework by replacing the units employed within the framed living space opening framework. Such retrofitting does not require constructional changes to the framework for example including but not limited to physical constructional changes to walls, ceilings and/or electrical wiring in and around the framed living space opening.

In embodiments, the inventions allows for use of low power motors and relative low battery capacity due to its use in sliding type of frames and rotation of louvers. Such movements merely overcome friction forces. This is in contrast to all up/down rolling type of shutters or blinds that need to elevate the entire shutters of the frame that may be of significant weight of up to hundreds of kilograms.

In embodiments, the utilization of remotely controlled motors does not limit a user for manually manipulating and/or controlling the movement of a frame or louver within a framework. Accordingly embodiments of a system according to the present invention, allows a user to manually manipulate a louver and/or a sliding panel/frame while simultaneously providing for manual control of the movement of the frame/panel and louver. This is a needed failsafe precaution. Such failsafe precautions are not available in most existing automated systems, such as the up/down rolling blind type that cannot be operated and remain stuck in case of power or other system failure.

Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. The following figure references labels are used throughout the description to refer to similarly functioning components are used throughout the specification hereinbelow.10living space building construct (ceiling, floor and walls) in which there is an opening;15electronics and/or video camera installed in living space;50external fixed frame;52marker on fixed frame;55fixed frame rail;100system;102mobile panel;102apanel lateral mobility;103internal volume of mobile panel frame;104motorized wheel;105panel functional segment106balancing passive wheel;110louver blind;112blinds/shutters;115louver lever;120motor assembly;120wwheel motor assembly;120rlouver motor assembly;120smotor control signal;121motor mechanical components;122motor controller module;124motor driver module;130electronics unit;132controller module;134power module;135display;136wireless communication module;138sensor module;140photovoltaic cells;150remote controller;152video camera;

FIG. 1shows a schematic block diagram of system100according to embodiments of the present invention of a system for automating the lateral movement, shown with arrows102a, of at least one or more mobile panel constructs102that optionally and preferably features a panel functional segment105within a fixed framed construct50and rail55that are affixed to an open space construct10for example in the form of a wall, floor, ceiling, or the like.

Panel functional segment105may be provided in optional forms for example including but not limited to a framed louver blinds110, window, dry keep window, rollup blinds, motorized rollup blinds, the like or a combination thereof. Mobile panel102may be fit with at least one or more functional segments105. Optionally a single mobile panel102may be fit with the same or different forms of functional segments105.

Embodiments of the system100provide for automating the movement of at least one or more mobile panel102along rail55while simultaneously providing for control the status of functional segments105disposed along a surface of the panel102. System100comprises at least one or more mobile panel102, featuring at least one or more functional segment105, a remote controller150, wherein an internal volume103of mobile panel102is fit with at least one or more motor units120, electronics unit130that is configured to be in wireless communication with remote controller150. Remote controller150provides for control signal150sto communicate and control electronics unit130that in turn provide a motor control signal120sto operate and control at least one or more motors120, and wherein at least one or more motors120provide for controlling movement of panel102and/or operation of functional segment105.

Framed construct50forms a fixed frame and/or an external frame that is directly and securely coupled with floor, wall, internal wall segment, external wall segment, and/or ceiling10of a living space opening. Fixed frame50and rail55are configured to form a base to receive a mobile panel constructs102that may be realized in the form for example including but not limited to a window, a dry keep window, sliding doors, shutter system, blinds system, blinds, framed louver blinds, shutters, manual rollup blinds, motorized rollup shutters, or the like constructs that is provided to control the open and/or closed status of the living space area.

Frame50may comprise at least one or more rail55along at least one or more surface thereof.

Rail55may be affixed and/or mounted on a frame50or directly along a construct10, along any face or surface thereof, for example including but not limited to: an inner surface or an external surface, or along an inner portion between the external and inner surfaces.

Rail55generally provides a channel and/or framework for defining and facilitating the lateral movement102aof a mobile panel construct102such that panel102may be moved latterly102a, along rail55.

Rail55may be fixed to the bottom of the opening, where the mobile panel102slide on it (as shown in drawings for simplicity), or it can be fixed to the top of the opening where the mobile panel102hangs on its wheels104,106that run on the rail (for example as shown inFIG. 3B).

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system100for automating a mobile panel construct102that is readily retrofit within an existing living space fixed frame construct50. System100is characterized in that it alleviates the need to undertake expensive, messy constructional changes to the walls, floor and ceilings10of housing frame50. Most preferably the construction10is not altered for the purpose of fitting system100. In a preferred embodiment the retrofitting process of system100is further advantageous as the retrofitting process does not require the instillation of running power supply wirings or lines to accommodate system100within construct10.

The need for a system that may be retrofit onto an existing fixed frame construct50is particularly realized where the living space constructional walls, floors and ceilings10are provided from concrete where making changes to the concrete framework10is expensive, messy and labor intensive. Furthermore such constructional changes in some instances lead to esthetically unpleasing a result.

System100according to the present invention provides a way for automating and facilitating lateral movement and/or sliding of at least one or more mobile panel construct102within an existing fixed frame construct50and rail55, characterized in that mobile panel102may be controllably moved within fixed frame50along rail55with a remote controller150utilizing wireless communication protocols. System100further provides for controlling functional segments105with remote controller150by way of wireless communication.

System100may further comprise and therein utilize existing electronics devices and/or sensors15already present in the living space10, for example as part of a smart home application, surveillance and/or an alarm system. Preferably electronic devices15provide for further facilitating control of the position and location of the frame and/or blinds by associating the existing electronic devices and/or sensors with remote controller150. For example, remote controller150may be configured to be in communication with the existing electronic devices and/or sensor15, for example a video camera forming a part of a surveillance system. Electronic device15may be in functional wireless communication with remote controller150, for example utilizing wireless communication protocols as is known in the art. For example, an existing electronic device15in the form of a video camera installed within living space10may be configured to be in wireless communication with remote controller150. Therein video camera15provides remote controller150with video data of living space10, which may be utilized to analyze and control the position of any member of system100so as to provide control the position of at least one or more of panel102, or blinds112, therein controlling its status for example open, closed, partially open, partially closed, or the like.

Preferably remote controller150in communication with existing devices15in the form of a video camera may utilize image process and/or video processing protocols as is known in that art so as to provide control of any part of system100.

Optionally remote controller150may be provided with a camera152to provide similar control any portion comprising system100.

Remote controller150provides for controlling the position at least one or more portions comprising system100, for example including but not limited panel102, and blinds112or the like, preferably remote controller150and each controlling unit130of each panel102comprises an addressing logic, set during installation, that allows for a single remote control device150to control in a synchronized manner a plurality of panels102that share same opening, and of plurality of openings in same room or coverage area.

In embodiments remote controller150may further provide for diagnostics and feedback control of the constituents of system100, for example including but not limited to wheels104and/or motors120. Preferably such monitoring and feedback control may detect instantaneous status and/or any failures or problems associated therewith. For example, controller150may be used to detect buildup of over-current that indicates end of movement which may be communicated to it via communication module136.

In embodiments of system100, fixed frame50and/or rail55may be fit with at least one or more indicators and/or markers52that may facilitate the functions of a sensor module138. Markers52may for example include but are not limited to at least one or more selected from: reflectors, color marks, stickers of certain optical or magnetic characteristics, the like or any combination thereof.

Mobile panel102comprising a lower edge, an upper edge, a right edge and a left edge, wherein at least one of the upper edge or lower edge may be configured to move along at least one or more rail55according to instructions from remote controller150.

Mobile panel construct102comprises an internal frame volume103that is configured to house at least one or more motors120, electronics unit130, characterized in that electronics unit130and at least one motor120may be controlled remotely with a remote controller150providing a remote control signal150sutilizing wireless communication protocols.

A schematic illustration of optional motors120that may be utilized within volume103of panel102are shown inFIG. 5-6. A lateral sliding motor assembly120wis depicted inFIGS. 5A and 5Bthat may be utilized to provide panel102with motion in the lateral direction along rail55as depicted by arrows102a. A louver motor assembly120ris depicted inFIG. 6, and provides for controlling the angulation assumed by blinds112within a louver blind110, or may alternatively be used to open/close a dry-keep window.

Mobile panel102features at least one or more remotely controllable motorized wheel104associated with a motor120that is remotely controlled, for example by remote controlled150, through the electronics mounted in the frame130, with a motor control signal120s. Optionally remotely controllable motorized wheel104may be disposed along at least one or more of the upper edge or lower edge of mobile panel102. Optionally and preferably mobile panel102may further feature at least one or more non-motorized wheel106, along at least one or more of upper edge or lower edge.

Optionally and preferably motor assembly120r(FIG. 6) may be functionally coupled to and/or associated with and controlled by electronics unit130, for example by way of wiring. Preferably wiring coupling motor assembly120rand electronics unit130is internal to mobile panel102within its inner volume103.

Optionally and preferably motor assembly120w(FIG. 5A-B) may be functionally coupled to and/or associated with and controlled by electronics unit130, most preferably by way of wiring. Preferably wiring coupling motor assembly120wand electronics unit130is internal to mobile panel102within its inner volume103.

Optionally and preferably motor120may be functionally coupled with an electronics unit130that comprises a controller module132, power module134, communication module136, for example as shown in greater detail inFIG. 2A. In embodiments, electronics unit130may optionally further comprise a sensor module138comprising at least one or more sensors for example including but not limited to proximity sensor, ultrasound proximity sensor, magnetic sensor, ultrasound sensor, microphone, accelerometer, light sensor, illumination sensor, light level sensor, the like or any combination thereof.

In embodiments, electronics unit130may further feature a display135that may for example be provided in the form of a LED indicator, LCD display, LED display, LED array, alphanumeric display, or the like as is known in the art. Optionally, for power management purposes control of the display135may be functional only when instructed so by the remote controller150and/or controller132.

Optionally communication modules136may be configured for wireless communication utilizing wireless communication protocol for example including but not limited to infrared (IR), radiofrequency (RF), BLUETOOTH™, Low Energy Bluetooth™ (BLE), Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, ANT™, cellular communication, optical communication, acoustic communication, the like, or any combination thereof.

Optionally mobile panel102may be provided with a removable cover to allow access to inner volume103therein providing an access point for example to access electronics unit130. In particular such cover may be configured to provide access to power module134so as to allow for easy and quick replacement of power source134for external recharging and/or replacement when provided in the form of batteries and/or rechargeable power source.

Optionally system100may be provided with a charging connector and/or socket, for example in the form of a USB port or the like power supply port, so that rechargeable batteries may be periodically connected to an external, removable charger and/or mains power supply.

Preferably at least one or more motor120may be utilized to operate functions associated with functional segment105. For example, motor120that is associated with functional segment105provided in the form of a window may provide for remotely opening and/or closing a dry keep window fit over functional segment105. For example, motor120that is associated with segment105may be provided in the form of a framed louver110, may be utilized to control the angular position of blinds112associated with a louver110, as will be discussed in greater detail below,

Preferably motor120may be used to mobilize mobile panel102for example by mobilizing and/or operating wheel104.

In embodiments, mobile panel102may be further fit with a photovoltaic cell140for example in the form of a solar panel, or the like. Optionally the photovoltaic cell140may be utilized to directly power any portion of electronics unit130or motor120, and/or to charge rechargeable power source associated with mobile frame103, and in particular power module134.

Optionally motor power supply module124may be provided in the form of a battery, rechargeable power source or the like. More preferably power supply module124is provided in the form of a battery or rechargeable power source internal to panel102within internal volume103, configured so that panel102may be fully mobile without external wiring or cables that could limit or complicate the movement of panel102within fixed frame50.

Optionally power supply module124provided in the form of a rechargeable power source may be recharged periodically by mains power supply as is needed and/or indicated to a user. Optionally power supply module124may be readily recharged and/or replaced by a user so as to allow recharging external to panel102and/or allow easy replacement of the power source utilized.

FIG. 2Bshows a schematic block diagram of how a plurality of motors120,120r,120wmay be controlled with a single electronics unit130, utilizing at least one or more motor control signal120s. Most preferably electronics unit130maintains the mobility of system100along rail55by utilizing a mobile power source for example in the form of rechargeable power source and/or batteries as part of power module134. Optionally power module134may be powered from photovoltaic cells140. As previously described system100may feature at least one or more sensors within sensor module138and remote controller150to facilitate functionally and mobility of panel102.

A proximity sensor may be utilized with a sensor module138for facilitating movement of plurality of panels102relative to one another. In an optional embodiment sensor module may for example include but is not limited to sensors provided in the form of a light sensor and/or an illumination sensor, electromagnetic sensor, magnetic sensor, microphone, acoustic sensor, motion sensor, the like or any combination thereof.

Communication module136may be utilized to receive control signals from remote controller150. Communication module136in turn communicate through the controller module132with motors120to control the panel movement102and/or any inner functional segment105associated therewith, for example in the form of a window or a louver blinds110.

Now referring toFIG. 3-4that show embodiments of the present invention in utilizing system100with different forms of a mobile panel and plurality of panels that are similar to mobile panel102as previously described.FIG. 3Ashows an embodiment wherein panel102provided in the form of a blind louver110featuring blinds112is installed on an inner surface of frame50about rail55.FIG. 3Bshows an embodiment wherein panel102is disposed along a rail55that is featured along an outer face of a construction50.FIG. 4Ashows an embodiment of system100having a plurality of mobile panels featuring a plurality of louver blinds110.FIG. 4Bshows an embodiment of system100that is fit with a plurality of mobile panels102wherein e each panel is fit with an inner functional segment105for example shown in the form of a window.FIG. 4Cshows an embodiment of system100featuring single mobile panel102that is fit a plurality of individual inner functional segments105each in the form of a framed louver blind110.

An open living space area construct10featuring a fixed framed construct50that features a rail55that allows the mobile panel102to be moved latterly102aalong the opening of fixed frame50. As previously described panel102may be utilized to house a plurality of optional inner functional segments105.

Fixed frame50and/or rail55may be placed over different living space opening within a house and/or apartment to provide a living space partition such as a window, balcony, patio, solarium, or the like living area. An optional embodiment, for example as shown inFIG. 3B, provides a rail55that is disposed along an external (outdoor) face of an optional construct fixture50.

FIG. 3Ashows an embodiment of system100that is characterized in that at least one or more louver110may be fully controlled to control shading/lighting and airflow within a living space10and mobilized remotely with remote controller150to move the mobile panel102inside its fixed frame50framework. Implementing system100as shown inFIG. 3Amost preferably may be accomplished without requiring constructional changes to the living space construction framework10, in particular when retrofitting the living space10to system100. When installing or retrofitting system100in living space10no additional elements such as wiring, mechanical adaptors or the like are mounted and/or affixed onto fixed frame50. That is louver110disposed inside movable panel102does not require fixed coupling to wall structures10and/or fixed frame50and is therefore fully mobile within the an existing framework50Accordingly system100is adept for retrofitting existing fixed frame50in order to make fixtures associated therewith fully automated, without requiring structural changes.

FIG. 3Ashows a louver110that may be configured to fit over a small living space fixed frame50, for example utilized to fit over a window opening. Optionally in such a window frame application at least a portion of rail55may be fit within a pocket of the window frame. However, the present invention is not limited to such single louver frame110, wherein louver system100may comprise a plurality of such louver frame110that may be combined over external plurality of movable panels102for uses in a large opening fixed frame50, for example as shown inFIG. 4A-B. The present invention would be more appreciated for large openings with plurality of large frames where manual operation is cumbersome and access to the frames is not simple due to obstacles such as furniture that are placed adjacent to the opening, or behind a closed window.

Embodiments of the present invention provide system100for an automated framed louver110inside a movable panel102and for such system wherein a non-automated framed louver in place within an existing fixed frame50is replaced with a new panel102according to embodiments of the present invention, such that system100is retrofit and incorporated with the framework of an existing non-automated louver.

System100provides an automated framed louver110that may be remotely controlled with a wireless control signal150sfrom a remote controller150. Remote controller150may be provided in the form of remote controller, hand held mobile device, hand held mobile communication device, smartphone, or the like device having communication and processing capabilities, for example as is known in the art.

Remote controller150optionally may further comprise a video camera152. Video camera152may be utilized with to facilitate control of any portion of system100so as to provide images for analysis and control of the position of at least one of the panel102, blinds112, louver blind110, or any combination thereof, wherein control is provided by way of utilizing state of the art image processing protocols or video processing protocols.

System100may feature a mobile pane102provided in the form of a louver110that comprises a plurality of blinds and/or shutters112that may assume an open angle of up to 180 degrees, such that it is fully closed at 180 degrees and fully open at 90 degrees. As is known in the art, blinds112are collectively controlled to assume an angle of up to 180 degrees with a louver lever115that provides for tilting and changing the angle of at least a group of said plurality of blinds112. Lever115is mechanically coupled with at least a group of said plurality of blinds112so as to simultaneously control their angle. Preferably each group of blinds may be associated with a single lever115that is controlled with a motor120.

System100comprises a motor assembly120that is functionally coupled with louver lever115, wherein the motor assembly120is provided for controlling the position of lever115and therein controlling the angle assumed by blinds112. Most preferably motor assembly120is fit within a recess of frame103, such that it preferably it is minimally visible. Motor assembly120features the required mechanical components121, for example in the form of a gear box, shaft, cam or the like, that are coupled with lever115to provide for controlling the position of lever115and therein the angle assumed by blinds112. Motor assembly120is functionally coupled to and/or associated with and controlled by electronics unit130, for example by way of wiring, as previously described.

Optionally louver110may be further fit with a photovoltaic cell140for example in the form of a solar panel, or the like.

Optionally and preferably mobile panel102provided in the form of louver110may be fit with at least one or more motorized wheels104associated with a motor120,120wthat may be controlled with a motor control signal120s, as previously described.

Optionally louver110may be further fit with a mechanical non-automated wheel106. Preferably wheel106provides for balancing louver110within a living space opening50, as previously described.

Optionally blinds112may be vertical and/or horizontal blinds, more preferably blinds112are horizontal blinds, for example as shown and as practical in Mediterranean weather.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for retrofitting components of system100within an existing louver fit within a living space without making constructional changes to the living space construct10of fixed frame50within it. Most preferably retrofitting occurs by replacing the sliding panel102with new ones that include the system100components.

FIG. 4Ashows as schematic illustrative depiction system100within an existing louver system frame50wherein a plurality of louver mobile panel102each having a plurality of individual functional segments105in the form of louver110that are retrofit within an existing fixed frame50.

Mobile panel102is fit with a plurality of motors120to control individual inner functional segment105that feature framed louver110that are controlled with louver levers115as well as motorized wheel104. Preferably both mobile panel102and each framed louver are controlled and/or automated with at least one or more electronics unit130provided to control a group of motors120. As previously described most preferably motors120are disposed within an internal volume103of panel102.

As shown inFIG. 4Aan existing louver system fit within a fixed frame50and comprising at least two panels102that are fit over a railing55. Panels102each comprise at least two louvers110for controlling the angle of a plurality of blinds112with individual louver lever115. Each mobile panel102includes an electronics unit130and three motors120to individually control each of the louver levers115provided within each panel102as well as a motorized wheel104coupled to a motor120so as to allow control of the motion of panel102in the lateral direction102aalong rail55.

All motors120may be remotely controlled with remote controller150via a control signal communicated to the appropriate components of electronics unit130and to motor units120.

Optionally a proximity sensor may be attached to the edge of a mobile panel102and may be utilized to detect the border of the fixed frame50opening and/or an adjacent mobile panel102so that, if desired, the controller132may automatically control the movement of the at least one or more wheels104disposed about mobile panel102.

As previously described, at least one or more wheels104may be disposed along any portion of panel102and more preferably along a lower or upper edge of panel102.

As shown no constructional changes are required to the existing frame opening50in order to convert an existing non-automated louver system to an automated louver system100according to embodiments of the present invention.

Optionally the rechargeable batteries may be re-charged by proximity electromagnetic field chargers (“wireless charger”).

Optionally system100may be configured to utilize mains power supply (not shown) to periodically re-charge electronic unit130and/or power modules134. Optionally the charging may be by way of a socket on fixed frame50where panel102may park in certain position for charging having charging contacts that have corresponding contacts disposed along at least one of panels102surface or rail55. These are less preferred in comparison to the above mentioned non wired ways of charging, such as with photovoltaic cells140mounted on the panel102, since it requires bringing power supply to the frame which may not be simple in retrofit situation. However, such solution is fine when the system is not a retrofit and even in retrofit situation it is by far less complex than providing fixed power lines to movable frames.

FIG. 4Bshows an optional system that features a mobile panel102featuring a functional segment105shown in the form of a window. Optionally functional segment105may be provided in the form of a dry keep window wherein motors120disposed within inner volume103of mobile panel102may be utilized to control the open status of window disposed about functional segment105. Optionally in such embodiments the status of segment105may be controlled with a control signal from remote controller150via controller132of electronics units130.

FIG. 4Cshows a schematic illustration similar to that depicted inFIG. 4Ahowever using a single mobile panel102disposed about fixed frame50wherein the single panel102comprises a plurality of functional segment105shown in the form of louver110.

FIG. 5Ashows a perspective view of a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the motorized wheel assembly120wthat includes the wheel104and motor120and mechanical elements121in the form shaft and gear elements all disposed within a housing that fits to the inner volume103preferably along a lower edge of panel102, as previously described.FIG. 5Bshows a cut away view of motor assembly120wto further show functional parts.

FIG. 6is a schematic depiction of one embodiment of a louver motor assembly120that includes mechanical members121for example including but not limited to motor, gear and shaft and controlling and driving electronics122, that may be used to control the degree of opening of blinds112associated therewith. Preferably motor120is disposed within an internal volume103of panel102, as previously described.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiment, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not described to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the invention.

Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.