Patent Description:
Generally, a window covering includes a headrail, a covering material provided below the headrail, and a control mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is mostly provided inside the headrail, and can be operated to move the covering material. When driven to operate by force, the control mechanism opens or closes the covering material, whereby to adjust the coverage of the covering material on an opening (e.g., a window or a door) of a building.

Conventional ways to control the movements of covering materials can be roughly divided into two categories: by manual and by electric means. In general, electric window coverings have a motorized tube powered by electricity, which is provided in or near the headrail. An output end of the motorized tube is an output shaft, of which the motion correlates with that of a reel. When the motorized tube starts to operate after receiving an activating signal, it drives the output shaft to rotate, and then the output shaft correlatively rotates the reel, opening or closing the covering material as a result. Typically, the motorized tube of an electric window covering would be provided close to the reel, for such arrangement has the advantage of reducing energy loss happened during the process of transmitting the rotary force from the motorized tube to the reel.

Nevertheless, since electricity is taken as a source of power for electric window coverings, if the power supply device is far from where an electric window covering is installed, a power transmission wire connecting the two would be required for transmitting electricity to the electric window covering and for powering the motorized tube. However, if the power transmission wire cannot be hidden behind walls or decorations of the room for any reason, it would appear abrupt, and spoil the overall appearance of the room. In addition, in some regions, power transmission wires cannot be installed anywhere simply by requirements, as some installation locations are forbidden by safety regulations. In such a case, the locations to install electric window coverings are thus limited, which would affect consumers' willingness to use electric window coverings.

To overcome the limitations above, power supply devices which have the ability to store power (e.g., batteries) can be used to provide electricity to electric window coverings in the circumstances not suitable for installing power transmission wires. However, such a power supply device has limited capacity, and once it runs out of power, it has to be replaced. Furthermore, in the purpose of powering the motor efficiently and reducing energy loss during power transmission, this kind of power supply devices are usually located in or near the headrail, i.e., located around the top edge of the window, which makes replacing batteries a troublesome job. In this regard, designs with external batteries have been developed to lessen the inconvenience. Take US Patent No. <CIT> as an example, the headrail disclosed therein is provided with a conductive terminal, which is exposed out of the headrail and is connected to a motor assembly provided in the headrail. Another conductive terminal is provided on a top end of a suspending rod, which contains a battery inside. The battery and the conductive terminal on the top of the suspending rod are coupled. By electrically connecting the conductive terminal on the top of the suspending rod and the conductive terminal at the headrail, the power of the battery in the suspending rod can be transmitted to the motor assembly through the connected conductive terminals, whereby to power the motor assembly. Taiwanese Patent No. <CIT> is another example, which discloses an electric window covering including not only a headrail and a movable covering material, but also a control system. The control system includes a linking device provided at the headrail, and a driving device which can be separated from the window covering. A motor and a power source are provided inside a front end of the driving device, wherein the power source powers the motor. The driving device further has a force output extending from the front end thereof, wherein the force output can be driven and rotated by the motor. The driving device has a control switch provided on a rear end thereof to be coupled to the motor. The linking device includes a force input and an actuating portion which are exposed out of the headrail, wherein the force input can be connected to the force output, whereby to connect the driving device and the linking device. On the other hand, the actuating portion is directly or indirectly connected to the movable covering material. When the motor rotates the force output, and the force input is moved by the force output to rotate as well, the actuating portion is rotated along with the rotation of the force input, whereby to open or close the movable covering material correspondingly.

In summary, the aforementioned electric window coverings both have a long rod connected to the headrail, either to power the motor assembly provided in the headrail, or to supply a rotary force to the linking device which is also provided in the headrail. To serve the above functions, the long rod at least contains a power source or a driving device. For consideration of the convenient use of this kind of electric window coverings (for example, using a remote control to control the operation of such a window covering), the long rod has to be permanently suspended under the headrail. However, with a battery to provide power or a motor to drive the driving device, the long rod would be somewhat heavy, generating a lasting downward pulling force at where the headrail and the long rod are connected. Therefore, the headrail may tilt by having the long rod suspended below for a long time. Furthermore, a window covering with a permanently suspended long rod occupies more space, leading to a higher possibility that someone may bump into the long rod, which may cause damage to the long rod or the junction between the long rod and the headrail. People may even get hurt from that. In addition, a permanent suspended long rod would also affect the appearance of the room. Furthermore, the aforementioned electric window coverings both have a connecting structure exposed out of the headrail to be connected to the motor assembly or the linking device, so as to engage the long rod with the connecting structure to transmit electric power or driving power. The exposed connecting structure would spoil the totality of the appearance of an electric window covering, impairing the aesthetic feeling provided by the overall design of the electric window covering.

In addition, some types of electric window coverings use rechargeable secondary batteries to avoid the inconvenience of replacing batteries. Such electric window coverings have a charging connector provided at the headrail, and once the secondary battery runs out of power, it can be recharged by providing electric power to the charging connector, as disclosed in Chinese Patents No. <CIT>, No. <CIT>, No. <CIT>, and European patent No. <CIT>. However, in order to effectively provide power to the motorized assembly provided in the headrail, a power supply device is usually fixed at a location near the headrail, or even directly installed in the headrail, which is above the top of the window. Therefore, tools (e.g., ladders) are still needed for users to approach the charging connectors while trying to charge the secondary batteries. Alternatively, there can be a charging cable hanging from the headrail, wherein an end of the charging cable inside the headrail is connected to the secondary battery which is also inside the headrail, while another end of the charging cable is exposed outside and is provided with a connecting end. With such design, the connecting end can be connected to an external power source, whereby the electric power can be provided to the rechargeable battery through the charging cable to recharge the battery, as disclosed in US Patent No. <CIT>.

However, charging a rechargeable battery with an exposed charging cable is still not a perfect solution, for such an exposed charging cable could be unintentionally wound into a loop, creating a potential hazard, and could also affect the overall appearance of the corresponding electric window covering. On the other hand, providing electric power to the rechargeable battery through a charging connector at the headrail would pose a limitation on the installation height as well, for it would be difficult to charge a corresponding power supply device if the charging connector is installed too high. Therefore, how to charge an electric window covering conveniently and safely has become a major issue that needs to be resolved in the related industry.

Furthermore, even if the above-mentioned issue regarding the inconvenience of replacing battery is resolved by improving the ways of charging the rechargeable battery in an electric window covering, there would pose another problem of when to recharge the rechargeable battery and how to know its current capacity. To resolve this problem, the power supply device of an electric window covering could further include a first remaining power detection circuit and a first display unit, wherein the first remaining power detection circuit detects the capacity of the first rechargeable battery inside the power supply device, and the first display unit can be fixed on the housing of the electric window covering, on a remote control, on a cellphone, or on other portable devices. Signal transmissions between the first remaining power detection circuit and the first display unit is performed either wirelessly or through physical connections. The current power status of the first rechargeable battery detected by the first remaining power detection circuit is constantly or periodically sent to the first display unit for display, so that a user could monitor the current capacity of the first rechargeable battery at any desired time, and could accordingly decide when to charge the first rechargeable battery.

However, in the condition that the first rechargeable battery does not need to be recharged, frequently or periodically displaying the current power status of the first rechargeable battery or transmitting signals regarding the power status of the first rechargeable battery to other devices to be displayed thereon would unnecessarily waste the power of the first rechargeable battery. Therefore, an issue to be improved is on how to actively send out a warning notice to remind the user to charge the first rechargeable battery only when the first rechargeable battery needs to be charged, by which the unnecessary power consumption of the first rechargeable battery could be avoided, and the run-time of the first rechargeable battery would not be shortened.

In addition, Germany patent publication no. <CIT> discloses a power supply unit (<NUM>) coupled with an alternating current of 230V, and the power supply unit (<NUM>) converts the alternating current into a direct current, which can then be provided to an accumulator (<NUM>) for charging the accumulator (<NUM>). When the accumulator (<NUM>) is not being charged (as in the situation that the alternating current stops providing power) and the energy saved in the accumulator (<NUM>) has lowered to a threshold, the system will inform the user in visual or auditory ways.

However, the power supply unit (<NUM>) and the accumulator are separated only when one of the power supply unit (<NUM>) and the accumulator (<NUM>) is damaged. The power supply unit (<NUM>) is not portable to connect to the accumulator (<NUM>) for charging operation and is not feasible to be portably taken away from the accumulator (<NUM>) for suspending the charging operation.

This in mind, the present invention aims at providing an electric window covering.

This is achieved by an electric window covering according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims pertain to corresponding further developments and improvements.

One objective of the present invention is to provide an electric window covering, which uses a first remaining power detection circuit to detect the potential magnitude of a rechargeable power unit composed by a first rechargeable battery. Said potential magnitude can be compared with a threshold predetermined in the comparison module. If the potential magnitude is less than the threshold, the comparison module generates and outputs a warning notice signal, which is then transmitted to a presenting module to be presented as a warning notice. In other words, the warning notice signal, which informs the user that the rechargeable power unit needs to be charged, is only actively sent out to the presenting module when the potential magnitude of the rechargeable power unit reaches a lower boundary. Therefore, in the situation that the rechargeable power unit still has sufficient power, the power unnecessarily consumed to display the current power status could be avoided. In this way, power could be saved, and the run-time of the rechargeable power unit for providing power to the electric window covering could be extended.

To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides an electric window covering, wherein the electric window covering comprises a motorized assembly, which controls a movement of the electric window covering, and a power supply device, which comprises a rechargeable power unit and a first remaining power detection circuit, wherein the rechargeable power unit is coupled to and provides power to the motorized assembly, and the first remaining power detection circuit is coupled to the rechargeable power unit to detect a potential magnitude of the rechargeable power unit. The first remaining power detection circuit generates and outputs a potential signal. The charging system includes a portable charging device, a comparison module, and a notification unit, wherein the portable charging device provides power to the rechargeable power unit of the power supply device, and the comparison module is coupled to the first remaining power detection circuit of the power supply device. The potential signal outputted by the first remaining power detection circuit is inputted into the comparison module to be compared. When the potential magnitude represented by the potential signal is less than a threshold predetermined in the comparison module, the comparison module generates and outputs a warning notice signal. The notification unit includes a presenting module, which receives the warning notice signal outputted by the comparison module and represents a warning notice representing the warning notice signal. Besides, the electric window covering further includes a portable charging device, a first fixing structure, a frame, a second fixing structure and an electric power input. The portable charging device is configured to be detachably coupled to and provide power to the rechargeable power unit. The portable charging device includes an electric power output. The first fixing structure is disposed at the portable charging device. The second fixing structure disposed at the frame. The electric power input is disposed at the frame and coupled to the rechargeable power unit. When the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are connected, the electric power output provides the power to the rechargeable power unit through the electric power input. When the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are separated, the electric power output stops providing the power to the rechargeable power unit.

The present invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

As described above, <FIG> is a block diagram showing a system that a charging system of the present invention provides power to an electric window covering, and <FIG> is a perspective view of an electric window covering <NUM> applied with a charging system of a first embodiment of the present invention. Said electric window covering <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, an electric power input <NUM>, a rechargeable power supply device <NUM>, and a motorized assembly <NUM>, wherein the electric power input <NUM> is provided in a frame <NUM>, the power supply device <NUM> is provided in a first seat <NUM>, and the motorized assembly <NUM> is provided in a second seat <NUM>. To be specific, the first seat <NUM> is used to accommodate the power supply device <NUM>, and the second seat <NUM> is used to accommodate the motorized assembly <NUM>. The power supply device <NUM> includes a first rechargeable battery <NUM> and a first charging module <NUM>, wherein the first rechargeable battery <NUM> is coupled to the motorized assembly <NUM>, whereby to provide electric power to the motorized assembly <NUM>, so that the motorized assembly <NUM> could drive a covering material of the electric window covering <NUM> to open or close. The first charging module <NUM> is respectively coupled to the electric power input <NUM> and the first rechargeable battery <NUM>, and is capable of controlling a charging procedure of the first rechargeable battery <NUM>. It has to be noted that, the aforementioned coupling relationships between the components are not limitations in implementing the power supply device <NUM>. The first rechargeable battery <NUM> could also provide power to the motorized assembly <NUM> through, as required, other circuit modules.

In the aforementioned structure, the frame <NUM>, the first seat <NUM>, and the second seat <NUM> could be independent components which respectively fix or accommodate the electric power input <NUM>, the power supply device <NUM>, and the motorized assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, the frame <NUM>, the first seat <NUM>, and the second seat <NUM> could also be, in consideration of the purpose of modularization or easy assembling, integrally made as one single housing <NUM>. In such a case, the electric power input <NUM>, the power supply device <NUM>, and the motorized assembly <NUM> or other mechanical components which are adapted to drive the electric window covering <NUM> are all provided in the housing <NUM>, forming a modular component which is convenient for assembling. The housing <NUM> described throughout the whole specification is modularized as an example for explaining the concept of the present invention, and the housing <NUM> at least includes the frame <NUM>, so that the electric power input <NUM> can be directly or indirectly provided therein to be properly positioned.

The charging system applied to the electric window covering <NUM> includes a charging device <NUM>, which at least includes an extension object <NUM> having a stiffness, an electric power output <NUM>, and a power storage device <NUM>. By saying that the extension object has the stiffness, what we mean here is that, when the extension object <NUM> is held by a bottom end thereof and erected, the extension object <NUM> could keep in a rigid and upright state. The extension object <NUM> has a first connecting portion <NUM> and a second connecting portion <NUM> which are provided in a longitudinal direction thereof. In the current embodiment, the charging device <NUM> further includes a conductor <NUM>, which is provided in the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>, and is adapted to be fixed thereon. The conductor <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, wherein the first end <NUM> is provided at a location corresponding to the first connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>, and is coupled to the electric power output <NUM>; the second end <NUM> is provided at a location corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM>, and is coupled to the power storage device <NUM>. The conductor <NUM> fixed on the extension object <NUM> has an inherent conductivity, and therefore could transmit electric power between the electric power output <NUM> and the power storage device <NUM>. Whereby, the power stored in the power storage device <NUM> could be transmitted to the electric power output <NUM>.

When the charging device <NUM> is connected to the frame <NUM>, the first connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM> is close to the frame <NUM>. At this time, the electric power stored in the power storage device <NUM> could be transmitted through the conductor <NUM> provided in the extension object <NUM>, passing through the conductor <NUM> from the second end <NUM> thereof to the first end <NUM> thereof. In other words, the electric power could be transmitted from the location corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM> to the location corresponding to the first connecting portion <NUM>, and then transmitted to the electric power output <NUM>, whereby to provide the electric power to the electric power input <NUM> provided in the frame <NUM>, so that the first rechargeable battery <NUM> could be charged through the first charging module <NUM>. Furthermore, while the charging process is going on, the charging device <NUM> could be kept connected to the frame <NUM> and suspended therefrom through a fixing means, and therefore it would be not necessary to hold the charging device <NUM> by hand the whole time.

With the aforementioned design, when it is needed to charge the power supply device <NUM> of the electric window covering <NUM>, a user would only need to utilize the stiffness of the extension object <NUM> by holding the bottom end of the charging device <NUM> and directly moving the charging device <NUM> toward the housing <NUM>. Once the charging device <NUM> is kept connected to the frame <NUM> and is suspended therefrom, the electric power could be transmitted from the power storage device <NUM> to the electric power output <NUM> through the extension object <NUM> or the conductor <NUM> fixed to the extension object <NUM>. After that, the electric power could be provided to the electric power input <NUM> which is provided in the frame <NUM>, and then transmitted to and recharge the first rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM>. In this way, a user could get rid of the annoyance of using a ladder or other ways to approach the power supply device <NUM> simply because the batteries need to be replaced or recharged. When charging is completed, the charging device <NUM> could be disengaged from the frame <NUM>, and then the fully charged power supply device <NUM> could start to provide power to the motorized assembly <NUM> or other electronic control components. No external electric power or driving power would be needed.

The aforementioned first rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM> can be a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery, a nickel-zinc rechargeable battery, or a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. However, this is not a limitation for the selection of the first rechargeable battery <NUM>; any rechargeable secondary batteries can be an option for carrying out the above design. In practice, the first rechargeable battery <NUM> can be integrally bond with the first charging module <NUM>, so that these two components can be efficiently installed in the first seat <NUM> (or the integrally made housing <NUM>) as a whole. In yet another embodiment, the first rechargeable battery <NUM> can solely serve as a power unit 231a or make up a power unit 231a with other first rechargeable batteries in an integrated manner. Further in another embodiment, the power unit 231a and the first charging module <NUM> can be integrated into a single component.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>, wherein <FIG> is a block diagram showing an implementation of the power supply device described in the specification, by which a remaining power detection function could be provided. As shown in <FIG>, the first charging module <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM> at least includes a first remaining power detection circuit <NUM>. To better control the charging procedure of the first rechargeable battery <NUM>, the first charging module <NUM> could further include a first discharging control circuit, a first charging control circuit, a first protection control circuit, and a first switching circuit, wherein the conditions which are preventable by the first protection control circuit include, but not limited to, overcharge, overvoltage, over discharge, overload, overheat, and short circuit. The first switching circuit is not shown in the drawings, for it is a well-known technique related to charging modules, and therefore we are not going to describe it in details herein.

In the designs mentioned in the specification, the electric power input <NUM>, which is provided in the frame <NUM>, roughly includes at least one of the following parts which could be used for electrical coupling: a pin, a pin socket, a connector, a USB connector, a plug, a socket, and an electrical coupling point. In the aforementioned designs, the frame <NUM> further has a first terminal block <NUM>, and the electric power input <NUM> is fixed at the first terminal block <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

Based on the components of the aforementioned charging system, the extension object <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> of the present invention can be a long object which has the stiffness, or a long object which not only has the stiffness but also is extensible. In other words, the extension object <NUM> should be able to be erected in a longitudinal direction of the long object, having the first connecting portion <NUM> and the second connecting portion <NUM> provided in the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, the extension object <NUM> is a long object which has the stiffness and a fixed length, e.g., a long pole; in another embodiment, the extension object <NUM> has a communicated space <NUM> provided in the longitudinal direction thereof, such as a hollow tube shown in <FIG>.

Please refer to <FIG> again, in the embodiments of the present invention, the charging device <NUM> further includes the conductor <NUM>, which goes through, provided in, or fixed on the extension object <NUM> in the longitudinal direction thereof. The conductor <NUM> has the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>, wherein the first end <NUM> of the conductor <NUM> is provided at the location corresponding to the first connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>, while the second end <NUM> of the conductor <NUM> is located at the location corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>. When electric power is transmitted from the second end <NUM> to the first end <NUM> along the conductor <NUM>, it is transmitted from the location corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM> to the location corresponding to the first connecting portion <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>. In an embodiment, the conductor <NUM> can be a wire 44a wrapped in an insulating layer, wherein the wire 44a can be fixedly attached to an outer surface of the extension object <NUM>, or provided in the communicated space <NUM> inside the extension object <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) in the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>.

In the current embodiment of the present invention, the power storage device <NUM> is detachably coupled to the second end <NUM> of the conductor <NUM> which is located at the position corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>. The power storage device <NUM> is a portable power source which can store electric power, or a storage battery capable of storing electric power. In an embodiment, the power storage device <NUM> is coupled to the second end <NUM> of the conductor <NUM> through a wire 44a which is used as a medium, so that the power in the power storage device <NUM> could be transmitted to the second end 44a2 of the wire 44a (as shown in <FIG>). In the current embodiment, the power storage device <NUM> is accommodated in the extension object <NUM> at a position near the second connecting portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the power storage device <NUM> at least includes a second rechargeable battery <NUM>, second charging module <NUM>, or further includes a second discharging control circuit, a second charging control circuit, a second protection control circuit, and a second switching circuit, wherein the conditions which are preventable by the second protection control circuit include, but not limited to, overcharge, overvoltage, over discharge, overload, overheat, and short circuit. The second switching circuit is not shown in the drawings, for it is a well-known technique related to charging modules, and therefore we are not going to describe it in details herein. With such design, when the power storage device <NUM> is coupled to mains electricity, the mains electricity could be used to charge the power storage device <NUM>, and to control the charging procedure.

As shown in <FIG>, in the current embodiment, the electric power output <NUM> is coupled to the first end <NUM> of the conductor <NUM> located at the position corresponding to the first connecting portion <NUM>. In an embodiment, the electric power output <NUM> includes at least one of the following components: a pin, a pin socket, a connector, a plug, a socket, and a conductive pad, etc., wherein said at least one components included in the electric power output <NUM> matches the electric power input <NUM> provided in the frame <NUM>, and is located at a corresponding position. When the electric power input <NUM> and the electric power output <NUM> are connected by engaging the matching and corresponding components, such as inserting the pin into the pin socket, correspondingly engaging the connectors, plugging the plug into the socket, or contacting the conductive pads, the electric power of the electric power output <NUM> could be transmitted to the electric power input <NUM>, and then to the first charging module <NUM> coupled to the electric power input <NUM>, whereby to charge the first rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM>. In the aforementioned embodiment, the charging device could further include a second terminal block <NUM>, which could be fixed at the extension object <NUM>, or integrally extended from the extension object <NUM>, wherein the electric power output <NUM> is fixedly provided at the second terminal block <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

In the embodiments of the present invention, the charging system could further include a first fixing structure and a second fixing structure, wherein the first fixing structure is connected to the extension object <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> and is near the first connecting portion <NUM>, and the second fixing structure is fixed to the frame <NUM>, corresponding to the first fixing structure. The first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are optionally combinable, and when the first and the second fixing structures are combined, the charging device <NUM> could be firmly connected to the frame and hang therefrom, providing electric power to the electric power input <NUM> from the electric power output <NUM>, whereby to charge the first rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM>. By combining the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure, the charging device <NUM> could hang from the frame <NUM>, and would not need to be held by hand or by any kind of supporters during the charging procedure. When the charging is completed, the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure could be easily separated, so as to separate the charging device <NUM> from the frame <NUM>. At this time, the electric power output <NUM> stops providing power to the electric power input <NUM>, and the charging operation is completed.

In an embodiment, the first fixing structure includes an engaging portion <NUM>, wherein the engaging portion <NUM> is connected to the first connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>, and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>, so that the extension object <NUM> and the engaging portion <NUM> substantially form a reversed "L" shape. The electric power output <NUM> is fixed at the engaging portion <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The electric power input <NUM> is fixedly provided on the frame <NUM>, wherein the frame <NUM> further has an outer plate <NUM>. The second fixing structure includes a notch <NUM>, wherein the notch <NUM> is provided on the frame <NUM>, and is recessed into the frame <NUM>. Furthermore, the notch <NUM> has an opening <NUM> formed on the outer plate <NUM>. The positions of the notch <NUM> and the electric power input <NUM> correspond to each other, as shown in <FIG>. To start the charging operation, a user could hold an end of the extension object <NUM> to move the extension object <NUM> toward the frame <NUM>, and eventually, fit the engaging portion <NUM> into the notch <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. In this way, the extension object <NUM> does not need to be held manually during the charging procedure, and the extension object <NUM> could remain connected to the frame <NUM>, so that the charging device <NUM> would hang from the frame <NUM>. At the same time, the electric power output <NUM> would contact the electric power input <NUM>, so that the electric power output <NUM> could transmit electric power to the electric power input <NUM> to perform the charging operation. To finish the charging operation, a user could move the extension object <NUM> to make the engaging portion <NUM> move out of the opening <NUM> and get disengaged from the notch <NUM>. As a result, the extension object <NUM> would be separated from the frame <NUM>, interrupting the contact between the electric power output <NUM> and the electric power input <NUM>, whereby to stop providing electric power to the electric power input <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in another embodiment, the engaging portion <NUM> could be provided with a second magnetic member M2, and the notch <NUM> could have a first magnetic member M1 provided at a location corresponding to the second magnetic member M2. When the engaging portion <NUM> is fitted in the notch <NUM>, the extension object <NUM> could remain connected to the frame <NUM> more firmly due to the mutual attraction between the first magnetic member M1 and the second magnetic member M2.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the embodiments of the present invention, the power supply device <NUM> could further include a first display unit <NUM>. In the current embodiment, the first display unit <NUM> is presented as being provided on the first seat <NUM> or the integrally formed housing <NUM>, and the first display unit <NUM> is coupled to the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> of the first charging module <NUM>. The first display unit <NUM> could be a LED or a digital display, so that the first display unit <NUM> could be used to display the output signals of the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM>, whereby a user could easily check the current remaining power of the first rechargeable battery <NUM>, or check the charging progress of the rechargeable battery <NUM> during the charging procedure.

As shown in <FIG>, in another embodiment, the first display unit <NUM> could be provided on the extension object <NUM> or the power storage device <NUM>. The first display unit <NUM> is connected to the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> of the first charging module <NUM>, wherein the connection could be established through the coupling between connectors, whereby the output signals of the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> could be transmitted to the first display unit <NUM>. Or, the first display unit <NUM> can be coupled to the electric power output <NUM> while the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> is coupled to the electric power input <NUM>, whereby to transmit the output signals of the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> to the electric power input <NUM>, and then to transmit the output signals to the first display unit <NUM> through the coupling between the electric power input <NUM> and the electric power output <NUM>. In this way, the current status of remaining power of the first rechargeable battery <NUM> could be displayed. In the current embodiment, the first display unit <NUM> and the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> of the first charging module <NUM> could be wirelessly connected. In other words, the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> is coupled to a transmitter to send out the output signals, and the first display unit <NUM> is coupled to a receiver to receive the output signals. Then the received output signals could be converted into LED signals or digital display signals to be displayed on the first display unit <NUM> provided at the extension object <NUM> or the power storage device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in yet another embodiment, the first display unit <NUM> can be fixed on a first display device D1, and the first display device D1 can be provided at a location other than the frame <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, and the charging device <NUM>, such as being located on a wall, on a remote control, or on another portable device such as a cellphone, so that a user could easily check all kinds of power status of the first rechargeable battery <NUM>. The first display unit <NUM> could be coupled to or wirelessly connected to the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> of the first charging module <NUM> to transmit signals, whereby to display the current remaining power of the first rechargeable battery <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the embodiments of the present invention, the power storage device <NUM> could further includes a second display unit <NUM>, wherein the second display unit <NUM> is coupled to the second remaining power detection circuit <NUM> of the second charging module <NUM>, whereby the second display unit <NUM> could display the detected current remaining power of the power storage device <NUM>. Similar to the first display unit <NUM>, the second display unit <NUM> could be a LED or a digital display. The second display unit <NUM> could be provided at the power storage device <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the embodiments of the present invention, the power storage device can be charged by provided with electric power from an external power source, wherein the external power source is coupled to the second charging module <NUM>, so as to charge the second rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power storage device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external power source can be a direct current power source, which is coupled to the second charging module <NUM> to charge the second rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power storage device <NUM>. In another embodiment, the external power source can be a power source created by an AC/DC transformer T1, which could also charge the second rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power storage device <NUM>.

The components described in above embodiments and exemplified implementations can be respectively selected and combined to carry out the present invention. In the following paragraphs, we are going to describe a practical embodiment. However, this embodiment is illustrated to explain the concept of the present invention, and should not be deemed limitations.

An implementation using the charging system of the first embodiment of the present invention to perform the charging operation is illustrated in <FIG>. The electric window covering <NUM> at least includes a housing <NUM>, an electric power input <NUM>, a power supply device <NUM>, and a motorized assembly <NUM>. Wherein, the housing <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> adapted to accommodate an electric power input <NUM>, a first seat <NUM> adapted to accommodate a power supply device <NUM>, and a second seat <NUM> adapted to accommodate a motorized assembly <NUM>. The power supply device <NUM> is respectively coupled to the electric power input <NUM> and the motorized assembly <NUM>, wherein the power supply device <NUM> is used to provide the electric power required by the motorized assembly <NUM>.

A notch <NUM> and a cover plate <NUM> are provided at the housing <NUM>, and the frame <NUM> includes an outer plate <NUM> and a first terminal block <NUM>. The notch <NUM> has an opening <NUM> formed on the outer plate <NUM>, wherein the notch <NUM> is recessed into the frame <NUM> in a direction from the opening <NUM> toward an inside of the frame <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> is pivotally connected to the outer plate <NUM>, and is near the opening <NUM>, so that when the cover plate <NUM> pivots relative to the outer plate <NUM>, the opening <NUM> could be revealed or covered. The first terminal block <NUM> is fixed in the notch <NUM>, which additionally has a first magnetic member M1 provided on an inner bottom surface <NUM> of the notch <NUM>. The electric power input <NUM> is fixed at the first terminal block <NUM>.

In the current implementation applied with the first embodiment of the present invention, the frame <NUM>, the first seat <NUM>, and the second seat <NUM> are presented as an integrally formed housing <NUM>, wherein the outer plate <NUM> of the frame <NUM> is an outer plate of the housing <NUM>, and the cover plate <NUM> is an outer plate pivotally connected to the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> could further include a spring <NUM>, which pushes against an inner top wall <NUM> of the notch <NUM> with an end thereof, and pushes against the inner wall <NUM> of the cover plate <NUM> with another end thereof. With such design, when the cover plate <NUM> is driven to pivot toward the notch <NUM>, revealing the opening <NUM>, the spring <NUM> would be twisted to store energy; when the cover plate <NUM> is not pivoted by an external force and is in a free condition, the spring <NUM> would release the stored energy to pivot the cover plate <NUM>, whereby to cover the opening <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the power supply device <NUM> at least includes a first rechargeable battery <NUM> and a first charging module <NUM>, wherein the first rechargeable battery <NUM> is respectively coupled to the first charging module <NUM> and the motorized assembly <NUM>, while the first charging module <NUM> is coupled to the electric power input <NUM>. In the current implementation, the first rechargeable battery <NUM> and the first charging module <NUM> are integrally combined to be conveniently accommodated in the frame <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the charging device <NUM> at least includes an extension object <NUM>, an electric power output <NUM>, a power storage device <NUM>, a conductor, an engaging portion <NUM>, and a second terminal block <NUM>. The extension object <NUM> is a hollow tube having stiffness, so that the extension object <NUM> could erect in a longitudinal direction thereof. The extension object <NUM> is provided with a first connecting portion <NUM> and a second connecting portion <NUM> in the longitudinal direction thereof, and there is a communicated space <NUM> provided inside the extension object <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>. The engaging portion <NUM> is connected to the first connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>, and the engaging portion <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>. The electric power output <NUM> is fixedly provided at the second terminal block <NUM>, and the second terminal block <NUM> is fixed at the engaging portion <NUM>, so that the electric power output <NUM> is also fixed at the engaging portion <NUM>. The second terminal block <NUM> is further provided with a second magnetic member M2. When the second terminal block <NUM> is fixed to the engaging portion <NUM>, the second magnetic member M2 would be located at the bottom surface of the engaging portion <NUM>, and would correspond to the first magnetic member M1 which is fixedly provided at the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the notch <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the power storage device <NUM> at least includes a second rechargeable battery <NUM> and a second charging module <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), wherein the second rechargeable battery <NUM> could be coupled to the second charging module <NUM>, and the second charging module <NUM> could be coupled to a transformer T1. The power source for the transformer T1 is the mains electricity, whereby the mains electricity could be converted into a power source for the charging procedure through the transformer T1. In this way, the electric power could be provided to the second charging module <NUM>, so as to charge the second rechargeable battery <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the conductor which has electrical conductivity is presented as a wire 44a in the current embodiment. The wire 44a is provided in the extension object <NUM>, passing through the communicated space <NUM>, and the wire 44a has a first end 44a1 and a second end 44a2. Wherein, the first end 44a1 of the wire 44a is provided at a location corresponding to the first connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>, and the second end 44a2 is provided at a location corresponding to the second connecting portion <NUM> of the extension object <NUM>. The first end 44a1 of the wire 44a is coupled to the electric power output <NUM>, and the second end 44a2 is coupled to the second rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power storage device <NUM>, so that the second rechargeable battery <NUM> could transmit electric power to the electric power output <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM> through the electrical conductivity of the wire 44a.

As shown in <FIG>, when a user wants to charge the first rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM> which is provided in the first seat <NUM>, the extension object <NUM> should be moved toward the frame <NUM> first. By pushing the cover plate <NUM> with the engaging portion <NUM> of the charging device <NUM>, the cover plate <NUM> would pivot toward the inside of the notch <NUM>, which would reveal the opening <NUM> of the notch <NUM>. At the same time, the engaging portion <NUM> could enter the notch <NUM> through the opening <NUM> to be fitted therein. After that, the charging device <NUM> could use the engaging portion <NUM> provided at an end of the extension object <NUM> to get engaged with the notch <NUM> of the electric window covering <NUM>, whereby to remain connected to the frame <NUM> and to hang therefrom. Meanwhile, the second magnetic member M2 located at the bottom surface of the engaging portion <NUM> and the first magnetic member M1 fixedly provided at the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the notch <NUM> would also stick together, whereby to further ensure the firmness of the connection between the charging device <NUM> and the frame <NUM>.

In more details, when the engaging portion <NUM> is fitted in the notch <NUM>, the electric power output <NUM> fixedly provided at the engaging portion <NUM> could contact the electric power input <NUM> fixedly provided at the notch <NUM>, whereby to form an electrical connection. When the second rechargeable battery <NUM> which is coupled to the second end 44a2 of the wire 44a transmits electric power to the electric power output <NUM> which is coupled to the first end 44a11 of the wire 44a through the wire 44a, the electric power output <NUM> could transmit electric power to the first charging module through the electric power input <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), whereby to charge the first rechargeable battery <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM>.

To finish the charging procedure, the extension object <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> should be moved in a direction away from the frame <NUM>, so that the engaging portion <NUM> could be moved outward through the opening <NUM> to get disengaged from the notch <NUM>. At the same time, the second magnetic member M2 of the engaging portion <NUM> would also leave the first magnetic member M1. Furthermore, the electric power output <NUM> fixedly provided at the engaging portion <NUM> would be no longer electrically connected to the electric power input <NUM> of the notch <NUM>, whereby to stop transmitting electric power to the first charging module. Once the engaging portion <NUM> is completely disengaged from the notch <NUM>, the cover plate <NUM> would be driven by the energy, which is stored while the spring <NUM> is being twisted, and is released from the spring <NUM> now. In other words, the spring <NUM> would move the cover plate <NUM> toward an external of the notch <NUM> to cover the opening <NUM>.

The aforementioned electric window covering is provided with the power supply device <NUM>, wherein the power supply device <NUM> is adapted to provide electric power to the motorized assembly <NUM> in general conditions, or even provide electric power to a remote control (not shown) which is used to control the operation of the motorized assembly <NUM>. If the power stored in the power supply device <NUM> decreases or is insufficient, the extension object <NUM> which has stiffness could be used to move the charging device <NUM> toward the frame <NUM>, whereby to connect the charging device <NUM> to the frame <NUM>. By fitting the engaging portion <NUM> in the notch <NUM>, the charging device <NUM> could remain connected to the frame <NUM> and suspended therefrom, and the position of the charging device <NUM> could be sustained without the need of any supportive external force. At this time, the electric power output <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> would contact the electric power input <NUM> provided in the frame <NUM>, whereby the electric power stored in the power storage device <NUM> could be transmitted to the electric power output <NUM> through the wire 44a which is provided in the longitudinal direction of the extension object <NUM>, and could be provided to the electric power input <NUM> as well. In this way, the electric power could be transmitted to the first charging module of the power supply device <NUM>, so as to charge the first rechargeable battery <NUM>.

With the charging system of the present invention, a user would not need any auxiliary tools, such as a ladder, to reach a high position to charge an electric window covering. Instead, a user could simply stand below the electric window covering <NUM> as normal, moving the extension object <NUM> of the charging device <NUM> toward the frame <NUM> of the electric window covering <NUM> with its longitudinal direction pointing up. After the charging device <NUM> is connected to the frame <NUM>, the charging device <NUM> could provide electric power to the electric power input <NUM> provided at the frame <NUM>, wherein the electric power would be transmitted to the power supply device <NUM> as the power required for the charging procedure. At this time, the charging device <NUM> would remain connected to the frame <NUM> even if not held or supported, so that the charging procedure could go on. When the power supply device <NUM> completes the charging procedure, the user would still only need to stand below the electric window covering <NUM> as normal, moving the charging device <NUM> away from the frame <NUM> and breaking the connection therebetween. In other words, a user could charge the power supply device <NUM> of the electric window covering <NUM> without the need to use any auxiliary tools to reach a high position. Furthermore, once the charging is completed, the charging device <NUM> could be disengaged from the frame <NUM> by simply being moved, which could also dismiss the downward pulling force exerted on the frame <NUM> by the charging device <NUM>, whereby to prevent the frame <NUM> from being deformed by force.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention could also actively remind the user to charge the power unit 231a when the potential magnitude of the power unit 231a lowers to some predetermined value. The system block diagram of such implementation is shown in <FIG>, wherein the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> is coupled to the power unit 231a to detect the current potential magnitude of the power unit 231a. The first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> generates and outputs a potential signal. The charging system could further include a comparison module <NUM> and a notification unit <NUM>, wherein the notification unit <NUM> includes a presenting module <NUM>. The comparison module <NUM> is coupled to the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM>, while the notification unit <NUM> is coupled to the comparison module <NUM>. The potential signal outputted by the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> is inputted to the comparison module <NUM> to be compared with a threshold predetermined in the comparison module <NUM>. When the potential magnitude presented by the potential signal is less than the threshold, the comparison module <NUM> generates and outputs a warning notice signal, which is then transmitted to the presenting module <NUM> of the notification unit <NUM>, so that the presenting module <NUM> could present at least one kind of warning notice which represents the warning notice signal. Whereby, only when the potential magnitude of the power unit 231a which supplies power to the motorized assembly <NUM> is lowered to be less than the predetermined threshold will the charging system actively send out the warning notice signal, which is subsequently presented by the presenting module <NUM>. By presenting at least one kind of warning notice to inform the user to charge the power unit 231a, it would be convenient for the user to get the information. If the potential magnitude of the power unit 231a is greater than the threshold, it means that the capacity of the power unit 231a is still sufficient for supplying power to and driving the motorized assembly <NUM>, and, in such condition, the comparison module <NUM> does not output any warning notice signal to the presenting module <NUM>, whereby the power consumption of the power unit 231a could be reduced. As a result, the power unit 231a could hold its potential magnitude higher than the threshold for a longer time.

In the current embodiment, the presenting module <NUM> includes a visual notification generating component, e.g., a display component, so that the display component could, upon receiving the warning notice signal, be driven to display the warning notice representing the warning notice signal in forms such as text notification, icon notification, or image notification.

In the current embodiment, the presenting module <NUM> includes an audio notification generating component, e.g., an sound outputting component, including a buzzer, a speaker, or similar components, so that the buzzer or the speaker could, upon receiving the warning notice signal, be driven to make the warning notice representing the warning notice signal in forms such as text-to-speech, siren, or a piece of predetermined music.

In the current embodiment, the presenting module <NUM> includes a tactile notification generating component, e.g., a vibrating component, so that the vibrating component could, upon receiving the warning notice signal, be driven to make vibrations representing the warning notice signal, whereby to inform the user.

In the current embodiment, the first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> could determine the current total potential magnitude of the power unit 231a in ways regarding voltage difference or current level.

In the current embodiment, the threshold for the comparison of the potential magnitude predetermined in the comparison module <NUM> is <NUM>% of the total potential magnitude of the power unit 231a when it is fully charged. However, the percentage mentioned here is not a limitation of the present invention; the threshold could be adjusted according to the potential magnitude required for driving different motorized assemblies <NUM>.

In the current embodiment, the presenting module <NUM> is controllable to periodically present the warning notice until the comparison module <NUM> no longer outputs the warning notice signal.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the comparison module <NUM> and the presenting module <NUM> of the notification unit <NUM> are disposed at the housing <NUM>, and the presenting module <NUM> is coupled to the power unit 231a, so that the power unit 231a could supply the power required when the presenting module <NUM> is driven. The first remaining power detection circuit <NUM> of the power supply device <NUM> detects the potential magnitude of the power unit 231a, and accordingly generates and outputs a potential signal to the comparison module <NUM>. When the potential magnitude represented by the potential signal is less than the predetermined threshold, the comparison module <NUM> generates and outputs a warning notice signal to the presenting module <NUM>. Therefore, the presenting module <NUM> provided in the housing <NUM> could present the warning notice representing the warning notice signal, in ways such as emitting light or showing images through a display or an indicator light or making sounds through a buzzer, to notify the user to charge the power unit 231a.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the presenting module <NUM> could be also disposed at a framework A, which is independent of the housing <NUM>, if it is more feasible to notify the user.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the notification unit <NUM> is disposed at the charging device <NUM>, and the charging device <NUM> is connected to a first fixing structure. The frame <NUM> of the electric window covering <NUM> fixes the second fixing structure. When the charging device <NUM> is connected to the frame <NUM> of the electric window covering <NUM> by connecting the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure, the presenting module <NUM> of the notification unit <NUM> could present the warning notice. The implementations of the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are basically described in above paragraphs; the implementation for the current embodiment is described below. The comparison module <NUM> is disposed in the housing <NUM>, and is coupled to the electric power input <NUM> disposed on the frame <NUM>. The notification unit <NUM> is disposed at the charging device <NUM>, and the presenting module <NUM> of the notification unit <NUM> is coupled to the electric power output <NUM> of the charging device <NUM>. When the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are connected, the warning notice signal outputted by the comparison module <NUM> could be transmitted to the presenting module <NUM> through the electric power input <NUM> and the electric power output <NUM>, by which the presenting module <NUM> disposed at the charging device <NUM> could present the warning notice representing the warning notice signal to inform the user to charge the power unit 231a.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the comparison module <NUM> and the notification unit <NUM> disposed at the charging device <NUM> could transmit the warning notice signal wirelessly, and the implementation is described below. The comparison module <NUM> is disposed at the housing <NUM>, and is coupled to a first wireless transceiver module <NUM>; the notification unit <NUM> disposed on the charging device <NUM> further includes a second wireless transceiver module <NUM>, which is coupled to the presenting module <NUM>. When the comparison module <NUM> generates and outputs the warning notice signal, the warning notice signal could be transmitted to the presenting module <NUM> through the wireless transmission between the first wireless transceiver module <NUM> and the second wireless transceiver module <NUM>, by which the presenting module <NUM> could present the warning notice. Said warning notice could be vibrations or indicating lights, but this is not a limitation of the present invention. With the warning notice presented by the presenting module <NUM> on the charging device <NUM>, the user could learn about the fact that the power unit 231a of the electric window covering needs to be charged.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the notification unit <NUM> is disposed at a portable device <NUM>, e.g., a cellphone or a portable terminal device. The comparison module <NUM> is disposed in the housing <NUM>, and is coupled to a first wireless transceiver module <NUM>. The presenting module <NUM> of the notification unit <NUM> is coupled to a second wireless transceiver module <NUM>. When the potential magnitude represented by the potential signal received by the comparison module <NUM> is less than the predetermined threshold, the warning notice signal is generated and outputted. Said warning notice signal could be transmitted to the presenting module <NUM> through the wireless transmission between the first wireless transceiver module <NUM> and the second wireless transceiver module <NUM>, by which the presenting module <NUM> could present the warning notice. In the current embodiment, the presenting module <NUM> and the second wireless transceiver module <NUM> could be the presenting module and the wireless transceiver module inherently included in the portable device <NUM>. For example, if the portable device <NUM> is a cellphone, the presenting module <NUM> could be the display, the speaker, or the vibrating component of the cellphone, and the warning notice could be text messages, images, sounds, or vibrations, which are not limitations of the present invention. Upon receiving the warning notice, the user gets to know that the power unit 231a currently has low capacity, and therefore could charge the power unit 231a of the electric window covering.

Claim 1:
An electric window covering (<NUM>) comprising:
a motorized assembly (<NUM>), which controls a movement of a covering material of the electric window covering (<NUM>);
a power supply device (<NUM>), which comprises a rechargeable power unit (231a) and a first remaining power detection circuit (<NUM>), wherein the rechargeable power unit (231a) is coupled to and provides power to the motorized assembly (<NUM>), and the first remaining power detection circuit (<NUM>) is coupled to the rechargeable power unit (231a) to detect a potential magnitude of the rechargeable power unit (231a) and to generate and output a potential signal;
a comparison module (<NUM>) coupled to the first remaining power detection circuit (<NUM>), wherein the potential signal outputted by the first remaining power detection circuit (<NUM>) is inputted into the comparison module (<NUM>); when the potential magnitude represented by the potential signal is less than a threshold predetermined in the comparison module (<NUM>), the comparison module (<NUM>) generates and outputs a warning notice signal; and
a notification unit (<NUM>) comprising a presenting module (<NUM>), wherein the presenting module (<NUM>) receives the warning notice signal and represents a warning notice representing the warning notice signal;
characterized in that said electric window covering further comprising:
a portable charging device (<NUM>) configured to be detachably coupled to and provide power saved in the portable charging device to the rechargeable power unit (231a), the portable charging device (<NUM>) comprising an electric power output (<NUM>);
a first fixing structure disposed at the portable charging device (<NUM>);
a frame (<NUM>);
a second fixing structure disposed at the frame (<NUM>); and
an electric power input (<NUM>) disposed at the frame (<NUM>) and coupled to the rechargeable power unit (231a);
wherein when the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are connected, the electric power output (<NUM>) provides the power to the rechargeable power unit (231a) through the electric power input (<NUM>), when the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are separated, the electric power output (<NUM>) stops providing the power to the rechargeable power unit (231a).