Patent Description:
Shutters may be used in buildings and the like as a screen or shield on windows, doors, parts of the facade such as stained-glass windows, bay windows, window faces, or even roofs. Shutters may offer the user privacy, security and/or protection against sunlight and weather.

Shutters comprise leaves or sheets hinged to each other. The leaves or sheets may be operated manually or by electric actuators from an open or folded position to a closed or expanded position. In the folded position the leaves may form a zigzag seen from above. In manually actuated shutters, they are usually relatively small-sized shutters since the user cannot operate relatively large-sized shutters, for example those shutters intended to be used on large areas of a building facade.

When electric actuators are used, they include usually complex and bulky mechanisms. This type of shutters, e.g. sliding shutters, may require the installation of several electric motors in the building, linking elements between the motors and the leaves and guiding elements for guiding the leaves. In some cases, the linking elements and guiding elements are based on complex sliding mechanisms, e. g carriers, roles, etc. The latter may mean a bulky and cumbersome solution. Therefore, these solutions may involve a negative appearance, particularly a negative overall appearance of the building. In addition, the installation of the system may be complex and time-consuming.

Furthermore, in case of failure of the shutters with electric actuators, their operation may be prevented, with the corresponding inconvenience to the users.

Therefore, there is a need for further improvements in shutters. The present disclosure aims to provide systems related to shutters that avoid or at least reduce drawbacks of the prior art solutions.

<CIT> discloses a snow-shed device stretched in the upper space section of the handrail wall of a veranda or the like in a building, enabling proper daylighting in winter while preventing wind and snow from blowing into the veranda or the like and simply opened in the case of fine weather or the like and conducting excellent draft and daylighting.

<CIT> discloses a hinge comprising an upper shell and a lower shell. An upper blade is fixed on the upper shell, a lower blade is fixed on the lower shell, an annular boss is arranged on an inner wall of the upper shell, a hinge on-off device is arranged above the annular boss, a hinge shaft is arranged at the top end of the lower shell, the upper shell is sleeved on the hinge shaft, a plane bearing is arranged between the upper shell and the lower shell, a driving motor is arranged in the lower shell, and a planetary speed reducer is fixed at an upper end of the driving motor, fixed in the lower shell and connected with the driving motor in a transmission mode.

<CIT> discloses a screen apparatus comprising a bifold door or window arrangement having a plurality of first panels said first panels being hingedly or pivotally connected to respective adjacent first panels, and a plurality of second panels releasably fixed with respect to the first panels, wherein the second panels can be fixed with respect to the first panels such that the second panels move with the first panels when the first panels are opened or closed and the second panels can be released from the first panels such that the second panels do not move with the first panels when the first panels are opened or closed.

In a first aspect, a folding shutter system is provided according to claim <NUM>.

A folded position may mean an open position of the shutter. In a folded position the leaves may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the façade of the building. An extended position may mean a closed position of the shutter. In an extended position the leaves may be arranged substantially parallel to the façade of the building.

The shutter system may be foldable by virtue of the driving hinge mechanism disposed between the leaves. The driving hinge mechanism may be attached to the leaf along the length of the leaf, i.e. attached to the longitudinal side of the leaf. The driving hinge mechanism may apply a folding or unfolding torque to the leaves, i.e. a force applied following an angular direction or the opposite one about the longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

The cavity may be defined for housing or receiving at least partially a side face of the tubular body.

The shutter system of the first aspect may minimize the visual impact of its components on the building. The cavity formed by the two leaves may allow to receive in its interior, at least partially, the tubular body. The tubular body may be at least partially concealed by the two leaves in the extended position. The tubular body may be made to go unnoticed when the leaves are extended. The visual appearance of the building, i.e. looking at the façade, may be improved. The space or clearance between two leaves in the extended position may be minimized. Therefore privacy, security and/or protection against sunlight and weather may be improved with the shutter system. Due to the simplicity of the shutter configuration, the time required for installation and maintenance may be reduced.

When the shutter system is in its folded position, the leaves may be arranged in parallel, i.e. with the main faces facing each other. In that case, the driving hinge mechanism may also be housed, at least partially, in the cavity. This may allow that the leaves may be closer together. Thus, a significantly compact assembly can be achieved, and the occupied space may be optimized.

The cavity may be defined along a portion of the length of the leaf. The cavity may be configured, e.g. sized, to receive the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body in such a way that the cross-section outline of the tubular body does not protrude from a face of the leaf, the face to be in front of or opposite to the façade of the building.

Since the tubular body may be at least partially housed inside the cavity, the thickness of the system as seen in plan view (seen from above) may be minimized and thus the space occupied may be minimized. The latter may be achieved in the extended and/or the folded position of the shutter system. A gap defined between first and second leaves may be minimized according to the first aspect in a folded and extended position.

The actuating module may have a single built-in electric motor inside. Number of electric motors may vary depending on the application. Two or more electric motors may be arranged inside the tubular body to produce more torque. If there are two or more electric motors, the operation of the electric motors may be synchronized.

Synchronization may enable adjusting operation of each motor inside the driving hinge mechanism in order to transmit a predetermined overall torque through a common shaft, e.g. an electrical shaft.

In some examples, the beveled edge and the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body may have cooperating shapes with each other. This may allow to removably attach the tubular body, or at least a portion thereof, to a leaf.

The outline of the tubular body in cross section may have a shape closely matching the shape of the cross section of the bevelled edge. This may allow to more accurately receive the tubular body, the tubular body may match the shape of the cavity. This may allow to further conceal the tubular body and thus may further reduce the visual impact thereof.

In examples, the tubular body may be generally cylindrically shaped. All the modules or portions of the tubular body may be configured to keep the generally cylindrical shape.

The tubular body comprises an actuating module operatively connected to a transmission module, wherein the actuating module and the transmission module are rotatably displaceable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis, and each of the actuating module and the transmission module are respectively joined to the first and second leaves.

The actuating module may generate a relative rotary motion between the two leaves and about the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The transmission module may transmit motion to one of the leaves with respect to the actuating module. One of the leaves may be attached to the actuating module and the other leaf may be attached to the transmission module.

In examples, the actuating module may be disposed at one end of the tubular body. The actuating module is detachably connected to a leaf. The actuating module may be easily removed with respect to the rest of the tubular body by being arranged at one end.

According to an example of the system, the tubular body may have a locking module to lock the leaves with respect to the building structure in the expanded position. The locking module may have a protruding element to collaborate with a corresponding member of the building structure. The protruding element, such as a pin, may be actuated following a back-and-forth direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. A locking module arranged in the driving hinge mechanism may make it possible to reduce the visibility of the auxiliary elements such as a locking device of the shutter system. In examples, a protruding part of the locking module, e.g. a pin, may be configured to be inserted into an orifice or the like associated with the building. In some examples, the protruding part of the locking module may interact with a guiding member such as a guiding rail linked to the building, such that the part of the locking module may act as an anchor. In this way, the two leaves may be prevented from moving relative to each other. The locking module may be removed from the rest of the tubular body, for instance when the locking module is disposed at one at one end of the tubular body opposite to the actuating module.

The built-in motor may be a reversible gear motor, i.e. a relative movement of the leaves about the longitudinal axis may be allowed even if the motor is not actuated. For instance, the leaves may be rotatably displaced in an angular direction or a counter-direction about the longitudinal axis. This may be the case for a manual actuation on the leaves for extending or folding the leaves. The locking module may have an unlocking lever or the like to manually displace the protruding part. This way, the modules of the tubular body may be freely rotatable relative to each other and the shutter system according to the present disclosure may be manually actuated.

The tubular body may still act as a hinge between the two leaves if the actuating module and/or the locking module are removed. The tubular body has the transmission module attached to one leaf and a central portion of the tubular body is attached to the other leaf. The central portion and the transmission module are rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis. Thus, even if the actuating module and/or the locking module are removed, the shutter may be opened and/or closed.

In examples, the cavity may be arranged to face the building structure in the expanded position. This may help to minimize a negative visual impact of auxiliary elements of the shutter system except for the leaves.

The shutter system may be actuated, i.e. to become folded or unfolded, following an horizontal direction or a vertical direction.

According to a further aspect, a method of operation of the shutter system according to any of herein disclosed examples, is disclosed. The method comprises activating the driving hinge mechanism under predefined parameters, wherein the parameters may be at least one of: angular speed, duration, angular direction and/or angular span. The angular direction may be defined about the longitudinal axis. The angular span may refer to an angular displacement of a leaf with respect to the longitudinal axis.

In some examples of the method, the shutter system may have various driving hinge mechanisms, and the driving hinge mechanisms may be activated in a predefined order. One or more hinge mechanisms may be actuated before the rest.

In some examples of the method, the shutter system may have various driving hinge mechanisms, and the parameters for activating at least two driving hinge mechanisms are different from each other. For instance, a shorter or longer duration, a higher or lower speed, a wider or narrower angular span or the like among the leaves. This way, the driving hinge mechanisms may be operated not uniformly.

Throughout the present disclosure, expressions such as above, below, beneath, under, upper, top, bottom, lower, side, etc are to be understood taking into account the arrangement of a shutter system or the like in an operating condition as a reference.

Throughout the present disclosure, expressions such as shutter or shutter system are interchangeably used.

Throughout the present disclosure, expressions such as building structure, structure or building are interchangeably used.

Throughout the present disclosure, expressions such as outline or contours are interchangeably used.

In these figures, the same reference signs have been used to designate matching elements. Some parts have not been illustrated for the sake of clarity. In the attached figures some non-visible elements have been represented with dashed lines for the sake of clarity.

The present detailed description is related to a folding shutter system <NUM> applied to a window <NUM> by way of non-limiting example. The window <NUM> may belong to a building <NUM> such as a house, office building or the like.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a perspective view of a folding shutter system according to an example of the present disclosure. The folding shutter system <NUM> comprises a first leaf <NUM> to be hingedly connected to a building structure <NUM>. The first leaf <NUM> is connected to the building structure <NUM> through a vertical shaft <NUM> as seen in <FIG> or <FIG>. Following with <FIG>, the first leaf <NUM> is hingedly connected to a second leaf <NUM>. The system <NUM> also comprises a driving hinge mechanism that comprises a tubular body <NUM> longitudinally arranged between the two leaves <NUM>, <NUM>. The tubular body <NUM> may be generally cylindrical shaped. The tubular body <NUM> may be arranged along at least a portion of the length of the leaves.

The two leaves <NUM>, <NUM> are rotatably displaceable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis LA of the tubular body <NUM>, such that at least a folded position and an expanded position of the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> are defined. The folded position may be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, and the expanded position may be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an example of the system <NUM> in an intermediate position, i.e. a position in the way from the expanded to the folded position or vice versa. The intermediate position may be a V-position and may be chosen or determined by the user.

In some examples, the second leaf <NUM> may be connected to a third leaf <NUM> in such a way that the first, second and third leaves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may form a zigzag in a folded position or at least partially folded position, as seen from above in <FIG>, <FIG>. The second and the third leaves <NUM>, <NUM> may be joined together through a bridge <NUM>, e.g. a bridge at the top of the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> or two bridges <NUM>, one at each of the top and bottom of the leaves <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> schematically illustrates a bridge <NUM> according to an example. The bridge <NUM> may be substantially planar and elongate, e.g. a plate. Each of the second and the third leaves may be rotatably connected to the bridge <NUM>. The bridge <NUM> may be guided by a guiding rail <NUM> connected to the building. The bridge <NUM> may have a bridge guiding member <NUM>, <NUM> to be guided through the guiding rail <NUM>.

Details about the guiding rail <NUM> are provided later on. The bridge guiding member <NUM>, <NUM> may be guided when the leaves rotate relative to each other driven by the driving hinge mechanism or manually driven. In the examples of <FIG>, the bridge guiding member <NUM>, <NUM> comprises an elongated pad <NUM> between a pair of bearings to slide through the guiding rail <NUM>. The number and type of bridge guiding members may vary depending on the case.

If the shutter system <NUM> has a fourth leaf <NUM> as seen in the example of <FIG>, the third leaf <NUM> and the fourth leaf <NUM> may be joined together through a driving hinge mechanism as herein disclosed, i.e. the same way as the first leaf <NUM> and the second leaf <NUM> are joined together. Thus, the third and fourth leaves <NUM>, <NUM> may have profiles to join the tubular body <NUM>.

The shutter system <NUM> may have a plurality of leaves that may be joined together by the driving hinge mechanism and the bridge alternately between them. For example, a first pair of leaves <NUM>, <NUM> may be joined through the hinge mechanism, a second pair of leaves <NUM>, <NUM> through the bridge <NUM> and a third pair of leaves <NUM>, <NUM> through the driving hinge mechanism as herein disclosed.

An example of a shutter system <NUM> in which two pairs of leaves are arranged on the same side of the window <NUM> in the folded position is shown in the attached <FIG>. To achieve this arrangement, a driving hinge mechanism may be placed between the third and fourth leaves, as described above. However, each of the two pairs may be arranged on both sides of the window in the folded position. In the latter case, the first leaves of each pair are hinged to the building structure.

The leaves <NUM>, <NUM> have a cross-sectional outline having a beveled edge <NUM>, <NUM>. The beveled edges <NUM>, <NUM> are configured so as to define a cavity C for housing or receining at least partially the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body <NUM> in the expanded position and/or the folded position. The cavity C may be defined in an intermediate position of the leaves as well.

The cavity C can be seen in <FIG>. In <FIG> the separation distance or gap between the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> has been enlarged for the sake of clarity. In some examples, the tubular body is substantially hidden behind the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> when looking at the building facade. In <FIG> a cavity C has been referenced, i.e. a partial cavity. However, the whole cavity C as per <FIG> is obtained by the cooperation of the beveled edges of both leaves <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some examples, the beveled edge <NUM>, <NUM> and the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body <NUM> may have cooperating shapes with each other. This way, the beveled edges <NUM>, <NUM> and the tubular body <NUM> may be attached to each other, for instance the beveled edge <NUM>, <NUM> and the tubular body <NUM> may be detachably joined. According to some examples of the shutter system <NUM>, the beveled edge <NUM>, <NUM> and the tubular body <NUM> may be detachably joined through a dovetail joint defined along the longitudinal axis LA. The dovetail joint may be present in one section or in several sections between the tubular body <NUM> and the leaf <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the examples of <FIG>, a cross-section view of an extruded profile <NUM> of a leaf <NUM> and the cross-section view of a tubular body <NUM> of a folding shutter system <NUM> according to an example are shown. When the leaf <NUM> has a profile <NUM>, the profile <NUM> may have a dovetail slot <NUM> to receive a dovetail <NUM> protruding from the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body <NUM>. The dovetail <NUM> may be a longitudinal protrusion with a cross-sectional outline shaped to substantially fit the dovetail slot <NUM>. If the leaf <NUM> is not provided with a profile <NUM>, the leaf <NUM> itself may have the dovetail slot <NUM>. Details about the profile <NUM> are provided later on.

The dovetail joint may allow the tubular body <NUM> or a part thereof to be detached from the leaf <NUM>, <NUM> when the tubular body <NUM> and the leaf are displaced relatively to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Screws or any fasteners (not illustrated) may be provided to hold the tubular body <NUM> and the leaf <NUM>, <NUM> in position together. By way of example, a screw may pass through a bore in a securing wall <NUM> to fasten the profile <NUM>, <NUM>, and so the leaf, to the tubular body <NUM>. The tubular body <NUM> may receive a shank of the screw. The securing wall <NUM> may be disposed so as to form a longitudinal indentation along the profile <NUM>, <NUM>.

Although the example of the dovetail slot <NUM> provided in the leaf <NUM>, <NUM> or the profile has been explained, the dovetail slot <NUM> may be disposed in the tubular body <NUM> and the protrusion of the dovetail <NUM> in the leaf <NUM>, <NUM> or the profile <NUM>.

In examples of the system <NUM>, the beveled edge <NUM>, <NUM> may be rounded, i.e. the beveled edge may be rounded in a cross-sectional view. This way, the rounded beveled edge may be better adapted to the outer contour or outline of a generally cylindrical tubular body <NUM>, particularly the outline of the rounded side face of the cylindrical tubular body.

Although the examples of the attached figures refer to the example of a rounded cross-sectional beveled edge, the beveled edge <NUM>, <NUM> may adopt any suitable shape such as substantially flat.

According to some examples, a filling of the leaf <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be made of wood, metal, plastic, fabric or any suitable material. In some figures such as <NUM> and <NUM>, leaves are illustrated without filling for the sake of clarity. Frames of the leaves can be seen. Frames may comprise, inter alia, profiles <NUM>, <NUM>, beams <NUM> and struts to join profiles and beams.

The tubular body <NUM> comprises an actuating module <NUM> operatively connected to a transmission module <NUM>, wherein the actuating module <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> are rotatably displaceable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis LA. Each of the actuating module <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> are respectively joined to the first and second leaves <NUM>, <NUM>.

In examples, the actuating module <NUM> may be detachably connected to the leaf <NUM>, <NUM>. this may be useful for instance in the event of a malfunction of the actuating module <NUM>.

The attachment of the actuating module <NUM> and/or the transmission module <NUM> to the leaf <NUM>, <NUM> may be performed for example through the dovetail joint explained above. In one example, the actuating module <NUM> may be attached to the first leaf <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> may be attached to the second leaf <NUM>.

The operative connection between the actuating module <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> may comprise a tongue and groove joint in which a protruding element may fit substantially into a cooperating opening. The protruding element may have a geometrical shape allowing a torque to be transmitted around the longitudinal axis LA and from the actuating module <NUM> to the transmission module <NUM>. The geometrical shape may comprise a polygonal cross-sectional outline. Operation of the actuating module <NUM> may cause relative rotation between the actuating module <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> about the longitudinal axis LA.

The actuating module <NUM> may be disposed at one end of the tubular body <NUM>. This may help to disengage the actuating module <NUM> from the leaf <NUM>, <NUM>. The user may easily access the actuating module <NUM> without having to disassemble the rest of the tubular body <NUM>.

In examples, the actuating module <NUM> may have an electric motor <NUM> connected with the transmission module <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> may have a stator and a rotor (not shown). The stator may be associated with the actuating module <NUM> and the rotor may be associated with the transmission module <NUM>, thereby providing relative rotation about the longitudinal axis LA. The rotation axis of the electric motor may be arranged along the longitudinal axis LA. In some examples, the stator may be associated with the transmission module <NUM> and the rotor may be associated with the actuating module <NUM>. In some examples, the actuating module <NUM> has a built-in gear motor inside its hollow core.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the actuating module <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> may be arranged along the longitudinal axis LA of the tubular body <NUM>. The actuating module <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> may be generally cylindrical shaped, like the tubular body <NUM>.

According to some examples, the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise an extruded profile or profile <NUM>, <NUM> adjacent to the tubular body <NUM>. The profile <NUM>, <NUM> may be made of metal such as aluminum or synthetic material such as PVC. In this example, the profile <NUM>, <NUM> may have the beveled edge <NUM>, <NUM>.

The profile <NUM>, <NUM> may have a longitudinal recess <NUM> to receive a power wire <NUM> to feed the actuating module <NUM>, see for instance <FIG>. In some examples, the power wire <NUM> may be to feed the transmission module <NUM>. The power wire <NUM> may power the electric motor <NUM>. The tubular body <NUM> may have a hole (not illustrated) to pass through the power wire <NUM>. The hole may be arranged at the side face of the tubular body <NUM>. The tubular body <NUM> may be in electrical communication with the electric motor <NUM>.

The tubular body <NUM> may have a generally hollow configuration. This way, the power wire <NUM> may run through an inner space that may be defined by the modules or segments of the tubular body <NUM>. The modules may have a kind of opening at both ends to allow the power wire <NUM> to pass through. The power wire <NUM> may be arranged along a portion of the inner space to feed some electrical devices as will be detailed later on.

In examples, the tubular body <NUM> may have a locking module <NUM> to lock the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to the building structure <NUM>. The locking module <NUM> may comprise a locking pin <NUM> movable along the longitudinal axis LA between a retracted position in which relative displacement between the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> and the building structure <NUM> may be allowed, and an extended position in which the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> may be fixed with respect to the building structure <NUM>. The locking pin <NUM> may be actuated through an electrical actuator, e.g. a screw spindle driven by an electric motor. The electrical actuator may be fed by the power wire <NUM> installed in the inner space of the tubular body <NUM> as described above.

The locking module <NUM> may be detachably connected to a leaf <NUM>, <NUM>, for instance, through a dovetail joint as herein disclosed. Furthermore, the locking module <NUM> may be disposed at one end of the tubular body <NUM> opposite to the actuating module <NUM>. The user may remove both the locking module <NUM> and the actuating module <NUM> in the event of breakdown.

According to examples, the system may comprise a guiding rail <NUM> to be fixed to the building structure <NUM>, see for instance <FIG> and <FIG>. The shutter system <NUM> may have two guiding rails <NUM>, one above the leaves and another below the leaves. The second leaf <NUM> may have a projection or glider <NUM> to follow the guiding rail when the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> are rotatably displaced from each other, see for instance <FIG>. In some examples, the glide <NUM> to follow the guiding rail <NUM> may be placed in the most remote leaf of the shutter system <NUM> with respect to the hinged joint to the building. In examples, the second leaf <NUM> may have a carriage displaceably supported in the guiding rail <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, the guiding rail <NUM> is place above the leaves. However, the guiding rail may be place at different location, for instance below the leaves.

In some examples, the locking pin <NUM> may be actuated to interact with the guiding rail <NUM>. The locking pin <NUM> may act as an anchor to prevent relative motion of the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> to the building.

In examples, the locking module <NUM> may be associated with a leaf and the locking pin <NUM> may be actuated to engage another module attached to the other leaf. This way relative motion of the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> to each other may be prevented. The locking pin <NUM> may be arranged in different ways to engage another module. For instance, the locking pin <NUM> may be actuated along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axial LA. In examples, the locking pin <NUM> may be actuated along a direction of the longitudinal axis LA if the cross-sectional outline of the pin presents a shape substantially other than a circumference.

The actuating module <NUM> may receive a control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may control the operation of the actuating module <NUM>, e.g. controlling operation of the electric motor <NUM>. A cable for data communication with the control unit <NUM> may be installed through the recess <NUM>, for instance from a switch or the like to be actuated by the user. The control unit may also control the actuation of the locking pin <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG> it can be seen that the tubular body <NUM> comprises the actuating module <NUM>, the transmission module <NUM>, a central portion <NUM> and the locking module <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> may be hollow and is attached to the same leaf <NUM>, <NUM> as the actuating module <NUM>. The transmission module <NUM> may be attached to a different leaf <NUM>, <NUM> from the central portion <NUM>. This way, if it is necessary to remove the actuating module <NUM> and/or the locking module <NUM>, the system <NUM> may be folded and unfolded manually.

The tubular body <NUM> may comprise a connecting module <NUM> that may be rotatably arranged between the central portion <NUM> and the locking module <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. The connecting module <NUM> may be attached to the same leaf as the transmission module <NUM>.

The different modules of the system <NUM> may be rotatably displaceable relative to each other. The modules of the system <NUM> may present hollow inner rooms, i.e. a tubular configuration.

<FIG> shows the cross section of a beam <NUM>, for example an extruded beam <NUM> in which a vertical shaft <NUM> may be housed. The vertical shaft <NUM> may be a hollow shaft, e.g. tubular configuration. The vertical shaft may be linked by its end or ends to the building <NUM>, for instance to the top and/or to the bottom of the window <NUM>. The beam <NUM> may rotate about the vertical shaft, and thus the first leaf <NUM> may also rotate about the vertical shaft.

In some examples, the shutter system <NUM> may comprise electrical wiring such as the power wire <NUM> to electrically power components of the shutter system <NUM> such as the electric motor <NUM> or the locking pin <NUM>. An electrically conductive cable e.g. the power wire <NUM> may be connected to the building electrical grid (not illustrated). The power wire <NUM> may enter a hollow space inside the vertical shaft <NUM>. From the vertical shaft, the power wire <NUM> may enter the first leaf through the beam <NUM>, for instance through a bore or the like in the vertical shaft <NUM> and the beam <NUM>. The power wire <NUM> may then reach the opposite side of the first leaf <NUM> through the top of the first leaf <NUM>. If the profile <NUM>, <NUM> is on the opposite side, the power wire <NUM> may descend through the hollow interior of the profile <NUM>, <NUM>, for example through the longitudinal recess <NUM>. From the longitudinal recess <NUM> current may be transmitted to the electric motor of the actuating module <NUM> as described above. The power wire <NUM> may pass either to the transmission module <NUM> or to the central portion <NUM>, depending on which part of the tubular body <NUM> is connected to the first leaf <NUM>. From there it may descend through the hollow center of the central portion <NUM>. If the system <NUM> has a locking module <NUM>, it may also be powered by the power wire <NUM> through the hollow center of the tubular body <NUM>.

In the case of having to feed a driving hinge mechanism of a further leaf beyond the second leaf <NUM>, the power wire <NUM> may exit from the central portion <NUM>, depending on which of these parts is connected to the further leaf. A communication wire (not illustrated) may be arranged parallel to the power wire <NUM>, so the communication wire may follow a similar path to the power wire <NUM>.

Due to the hollow interior of the vertical shaft <NUM> and the tubular body <NUM>, power and/or data can be transmitted between the building and the leaves and between the leaves without shearing of the wires such as the power wire <NUM>.

In the following, an example of operation of the system <NUM> as disclosed herein is described. If starting from an extended position, as for example illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the building or at least the windows <NUM>. The user may operate a switch or the like in data and/or electrical communication with the module housing the electric motor <NUM>, for example the actuating module <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> may then be activated and cause a relative rotation between the actuation module <NUM> and the transmission module <NUM> and thus relative movement between the two mutually folding leaves <NUM>, <NUM>. The relative movement may end when the system <NUM> reaches the folded position as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As the electric motor <NUM> is actuated, the glider <NUM> may be guided by the guiding rail <NUM> so as to guide the folding or unfolding operation of the shutter.

If the shutter system <NUM> has a third leaf <NUM>, the bridge guiding member <NUM> may move guided by the guiding rail <NUM>. The relative movement of the leaves <NUM>, <NUM> as described above may cause the bridge guiding member <NUM> to move relative to the guiding rail <NUM> away or towards the vertical shaft <NUM>.

The operation of the shutter system <NUM> with various driving hinge mechanisms may be the same as above described, mutatis mutandis. Electric motors of different hinge mechanisms may be activated according to a predefined order. The electric motors of different hinge mechanisms may be operated under different parameters depending on the needs, for instance, torque and/or angular speed and/or duration and/or angular direction and/or angular span according to predefined parameters. Each pair of leaves joined through a driving hinge mechanism may be activated at a predefined moment or with a predefined speed, duration, direction or span. This way, the leaves may be folded or unfolded following a predefined sequence and/or with a predefined speed and/or under a predefined angular path. Furthermore, only some leaves of the shutter system <NUM> may be folded or unfolded, i.e. the operation of the shutter system <NUM> may be limited to a number of leaves, lower than the overall amount of the drivable pair of leaves.

Parameters may be entered by the user through a user interface in data communication with the control unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A folding shutter system (<NUM>) comprising:
a first leaf (<NUM>) to be hingedly connected to a building structure (<NUM>), wherein the first leaf is hingedly connected to a second leaf (<NUM>);
an hinge mechanism comprising a tubular body (<NUM>) longitudinally arranged between the two leaves, wherein the two leaves are rotatably displaceable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis (LA) of the tubular body, such that at least a folded position and an expanded position of the leaves are defined;
wherein the leaves have a cross-sectional outline having a beveled edge (<NUM>, <NUM>), the beveled edges being arranged so as to define a cavity (C) for housing at least partially the cross-sectional outline of the tubular body;
characterized in that the hinge mechanism is a driving hinge mechanism;
wherein the tubular body comprises an actuating module (<NUM>) operatively connected to a transmission module (<NUM>), wherein the actuating module and the transmission module are rotatably displaceable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis, and each of the actuating module and the transmission module are respectively joined to the first and second leaves, wherein the actuating module is detachably connected to the first leaf;
the tubular body having the transmission module attached to the second leaf and a central portion (<NUM>) of the tubular body attached to the first leaf, the central portion (<NUM>) and the transmission module being rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis.