(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENI COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`:IL,
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`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Bureau
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`(43) International Publication Date
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`11 April 2013 (11.04.2013)
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`,4
`WIPOI PCT
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`||||I|l|||||| ll |||||||||||||||| l|||| |||||||]||||||||||||||l||||||| |||||||||||||||||||| "Hill
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`(10) International Publication Number
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`WO 2013/052084 A]
`
`(51)
`
`International Patent Classification:
`£063 9/34 (2006.01)
`
`(21)
`
`International Application Number:
`
`PCTflJSZOlEtUUO429
`
`(22)
`
`International Filing Date:
`
`3 October 2012 (03.10.2012)
`
`(25)
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`(26)
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`(30)
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`(71)
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`(72)
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`(74)
`
`{81)
`
`Filing Language:
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`Publication Language:
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`English
`
`English
`
`Priority Data:
`60542.160
`606148.011
`
`3 October 20l1 (03.10.2011)
`|6 May 201 2 ( 16115.2(“ 2)
`
`US
`US
`
`1 Blue
`Applicant: HUNTER DOUGLAS INC. [USfUS];
`11111 Plaza. PO. Box 470, Pearl River, New York 10965
`(US).
`
`inventors: COLSON. Wendell; l4 Byron Road, Weston,
`Massachusetts 02493 (US). FOGAR'I‘Y. Dan; 193 Dan-
`lhrlh Slrect, Framingham, Massachusetts 0170]
`(US).
`SWISHIZ. Paul; 1543 Estate Circle, Niwol, Colorado
`80503 (US).
`
`Agent: ZIMMERMAN, Michael W.; llaulcy, Flight &
`Ziuuuet‘mau, LLC, 150 S. Wacket‘ Drive, Suite 2100,
`Chicago, Illinois 60606 (US),
`
`Designated States (imiess otherwise indicated, for men!
`kind of'ntttiottttt protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`
`A0, AT, AU, AZ, BA, 1313, no, 311, BN, BR, 13w, BY,
`32, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR. CU. CZ. DE. DK, DM,
`DO, Dz, EC, E13, no, ES, FI, GB, GD, on, 011, GM, GT,
`IlN, IlR, 11U, ID, IL, IN, Is. JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP,
`KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD,
`ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, Mz, NA, N6, N1,
`NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, P11, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU,
`Rw, sc, SD, SE, so, SK, SL, SM, ST, sv, SY, T11, T1,
`TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, U(i, US, UZ, vc, VN, ZA,
`2M,zw.
`
`(84)
`
`Designated States (antes-s otherwise indicated. for every
`kind of regional pmtection ovoiittbt'c): ARIPO (BW, Cil-I,
`GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ,
`UG, ZM, ZW}, Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ,
`TM}, European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CII, CY, CZ, DE, DK,
`EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IIR, IIU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
`MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM,
`TR), OAPI (BF, BJ. CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ. GW,
`ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`Declarations under Rule 4.17:
`
`(is to appticom's entitiemem to apptfrjbr and be granted a
`patent (Ride 4.} 7(0)}
`
`as to the appitcom’s entitlement to claim the prioritc qt‘the
`eariicr application tRute 4. I 7(iit'))
`Published:
`
`with intermttt'otmt search report Dirt. 21’ (3))
`
`(54) Title: CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVIERINGS
`
`
`
`Eur/t
`iris: -.
`/_i4p2
`Ii/l
`_
` tit/ll}
`
`/l
`
`FIG. 1
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`
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`
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`2013/052034Al|l||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l||||||||llllll||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l|||ll|l||||
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`(57) Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling architectural opening coverings are described herein. An example apparatus
`includes a roller tube, a motor including a motor drive shall and a motor casing, the motor casing to rotate with the roller tube, and a
`manual control including a manual control drive shaft coupled to the motor drive shalt. the motor to apply torque to the roller tube
`o through rotation 01‘ the motor casing.
`W
`
`0001
`0001
`
`Lutron Electronics Co. EX1005
`Lutron Electronics Co. EXIOOS
`U.S. Patent No. 10,294,717
`US. Patent No. 10,294,717
`
`

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`PCTfU 520121’000429
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`CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVERINGS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This patent claims priority to US. Pr0visional Application Serial No. 61542,?60, entitled
`
`“CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVERINGS,“ filed October 3, 20 ll and
`
`US. Provisional Application Serial No. 61548.01 1, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS
`
`TO CONTROL ARCHITECTURAL OPENING COVERING ASSEMBLIES,” filed May 16,
`
`2012. The disclosures ofU.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61542360 and US
`
`Provisional Application Serial No. 6lr‘648,011 are hereby incorporated by reference in their
`
`entireties.
`
`FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`[0002] This disclosure relates generally to architectural opening covering assemblies and, more
`
`particularly, to methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] Architectural opening coverings such as roller blinds provide shading and privacy. Such
`
`coverings typically include a manually operated cord, chain or pull tube or a motorized roller
`
`tube connected to covering fabric, which may be slatted or louvered. The fabric can be fitted
`
`with a bottom rail and optionally run through a pair ofopposing vertical frame or track members,
`
`one for each side edge of the fabric, so that the fabric raises and falls in a designated path and is
`
`not subjected to motion from, for example, blowing wind.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0004] Example implementations of architectural opening coverings will be described through
`
`the use ofthe accompanying drawings, which are not to be considered as limiting, and in which:
`
`[0005] FIG.
`
`I illustrates an example implementation ofa roller type architectural opening
`
`covering with a manual control; and
`
`[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation ofa roller type architectural opening
`
`covering with a one-way slip clutch to provide a torque limiting motor coupling.
`
`[0007'] FIGS. 3-6 are flowcharts illustrating example methods to control operation ofa roller
`
`type architectural opening covering.
`
`[0008] FIG. 7 illustrates a torque limiting motor configuration.
`
`0002
`0002
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`PCTIU520121'000429
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`[0009] FIG. 8 illustrates a torque limiting motor coupling.
`
`[0010] FIG. 9 is an isometric illustration ofan example architectural opening covering assembly
`
`including an example manual controller.
`
`[001i] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating the manual controller ofthe example architectural
`
`opening covering assembly of FIG. 9.
`
`[0012] FIG. 1 l
`
`is a perspective view ofthe example manual controller ofthe example
`
`architectural opening covering assembly of FIG. 9.
`
`[0013] FIG. 12 is a side view ofan example male connector ofthe example manual controller of
`
`FIG. i1.
`
`[0014] FIG. 13 is an exploded view ofthe example manual controller of FIG. 11.
`
`[0015] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example clutch assembly and motor ofthe example
`
`architectural opening covering assembly of FIG. 9.
`
`[0016] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an example roller tube ofthe example architectural
`
`opening covering assembly of FIG. 9.
`
`[001?] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view ofthe example clutch assembly and the example motor
`
`of FIG. 14.
`
`[0018] FIG. I? is a cross—sectional view of an example first clutch ofthe example clutch
`
`assembly of FIG. 16 taken along line 17A-17A.
`
`[0019] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view ofan example second clutch ofthc example clutch
`
`assembly of FIG. 16 taken along line ISA-18A.
`
`[0020] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an example local controller ofthe example architectural
`
`opening covering assembly of FIG. 9.
`
`[0021] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view ofa portion ofthe example local controller of FIG. 19
`
`communicatively coupled to an example central controller and an example power source.
`
`[0022] FIG. 21 is another croSs—sectional view ofthe example local controller of FIG. 19.
`
`[0023] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example processor platform to execute the machine
`
`readable instructions of FIGS. 3-6 to implement a controller ofthe control board of FIG. 1, the
`
`control board of FIG. 19, or any other controller.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`0003
`0003
`
`

`

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`PCT1U520121000-129
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`[0024] To lower a roller type architectural opening covering such as a blind with a weighted rail
`
`a manual centrol is provided.
`
`In some examples, the architectural opening covering with the
`
`manual control may also be motorized.
`
`In some implementations that include a motor, the
`
`manual control does not cause the cavering to be about of synchronization with any components
`
`for limiting the travel ofthc covering (e.g., mechanical or electronic limit switches).
`
`Accordingly, in such implementations, operation ofthe manual control does not necessitate
`
`recalibration or resetting ofthe components for limiting the travel of the covering.
`
`[0025] The components ofthe architectural opening covering will be referenced in polar
`
`coordinates. For example, the axial coordinate runs along the longitudinal axis ofthe covering,
`
`the radial coordinate runs perpendicularly thereto and the circumferential coordinate runs in a
`
`circular direction in an end view ofthe covering. With the covering in a plan view, “axial
`
`proximate” or “proximate” means closer to the right side ofthe figure. On the other hand, “axial
`
`distal” or “distal” means further from the right side ofthe figure.
`
`[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an example covering 100 that includes a shaft connector 102 and a
`
`manual control 104. The shaft connector 102 may be a one-way slipping bearing as described in
`
`FIGS. 7 and 8. As will be explained in further detail, the manual control 104 enables manual
`
`operation ofthe covering 100 by a person (e.g., when motorized control is not available or
`
`desirable to the person).
`
`[002?] The roller blind 100 ofthe illustrated example includes the one-way slipping bearing 102,
`
`the manual control 104, the motor 106, a gearbox 108, a control board 110, a roller tube 112, a
`
`slip-ring connector 114, and a clutchfmount 1 16.
`
`In the illustrated example, the motor 106 and
`
`the manual control 104 are located nearest the proximate side ofthe covering 100. Alternatively,
`
`components ofthe covering l00 could be reversed so that the motor 106 and the manual control
`
`104 are located nearest the distal side ofthe covering 100.
`
`[0028] The slip-ring connector 1 l4 ofthe illustrated example is insertable in a mating connector
`
`1 18 for mounting the covering 100 in or adjacent to an architectural opening and for electrically
`
`connecting the covering 100 to electrical power. The example slip-ring connector 114 includes a
`
`frame 120 having first and second edges 121, 122 defining an opening 123 into which an axially
`
`extending protrusion 1 15 ofthe slip-ring connector 1 14 is inserted when the covering 100 is
`
`0004
`0004
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`PCTIU 520121000429
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`mounted in or adjacent to the architectural Opening. An outer radial Surface 127 of the frame 114
`
`receives an inner radial surface ofa bracket 134 ofthe slip-ring connector 1 14.
`
`[0029] Disposed inside frame 120 are first contacts 124, 125 and second contact 126. The first
`
`contacts 124, 125 of the illustrated example comprise two metal flanges bent over to form a
`
`deformable metal contact. The first contacts 124, 125 are electrically connected to supply wires
`
`130 that supply electrical power to the mating connector 1 18. When the covering 100 is
`
`mounted in the mating connector 1 18, the first contacts 124, 125 rest upon a radial ring 136 of
`
`the axially extending protrusion l 15. When the covering 100 rotates, the first contacts 124, 125
`
`maintain an electrical connection with the radial ring 136. Accordingly, the covering can rotate
`
`with respect to the mating connector 1 18 while an electrical connection is maintained. While
`
`two first contacts 124, 125 are included in the illustrated example, any number ol‘contact(s) (e.g.,
`
`1, 3, 4, etc.) may alternatively be used.
`
`[0030] The second contact 126 ofthe illustrated example comprises a metal flange upon which
`
`rests a pin 138 that extends beyond a distal end of the axially extending protrusion l 15. The
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`second contact 126 is electrically connected to the supply wires 130. While the covering 100
`
`rotates, the second contact 126 maintains the electrical connection with the pin 138 to provide
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`electrical power to the covering 100.
`
`[0031] The example frame 120 of Figure 1
`
`is fixed to a bracket 128 that is fixed in or adjacent to
`
`an architectural opening using a mechanical fastener such as a screw 132.
`
`In the illustrated
`
`example, the supply wires 130 pass through openings (not illustrated) in the bracket 128 and the
`
`frame 130.
`
`[0032] While an example mating connector 118 is disclosed herein, other arrangements may be
`
`used. For example, other configurations of slip-ring connectors may be used.
`
`[0033] Returning to the example covering 100, the bracket 134 is disposed inside of, and is fixed
`
`to, the roller tube 1 12. The pin 138 is disposed in a sleeve formed inside the connector. A
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`washer 142 is mounted to the pin 138. A spring 140 is seated between the fixed washer 142 and
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`an inner surface ofthe bracket 134. The force ofthe spring 140 biases the pin 138 in the distal
`
`direction and into engagement with the secoud contact 126 when the covering 100 is inserted in
`
`the mating connector 1 18.
`
`0005
`0005
`
`

`

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`PCT1U52012fflflll-129
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`[0034] Wires 143 electrically connect the pin I38 and the radial ring 136, respectively, to the
`
`control board 1 10. Accordingly, electrical power is supplied to the control board 1 10 when the
`
`covering 100 is mounted in the mating bracket I 18 and electrical power is supplied to the supply
`
`wires 130.
`
`In other examples, batteries may provide power to the control board 1 10 and the
`
`In such examples, the slip-ring
`COrresponding wired electrical elements may be eliminated.
`connector 1 l4 may not include components for electrical connection, but will provide mounting
`
`support for the roller blind 100.
`
`[0035] The control board 1 10 ofthe illustrated example controls the Operation ofthe covering
`
`100.
`
`in particular, the example control board 1 10 includes a wireless receiver and a torque
`
`sensing control. The wireless receiver is responsive to commands from a wireless remote control
`
`to direct the operation of the covering 100. The torque sensing control operates to stop the motor
`
`I06 whenever a torque overload is detected (e.g., when the- covering 100 is fully wound, when
`
`the covering 100 is fully unwound, or when an obstruction prevents winding/unwinding of the
`
`covering 100). The example torque sensing control ofthe illustrated example includes a winding
`
`threshold and an unwinding threshold such that the winding threshold is greater than the'
`
`unwinding threshold due to the additional torque encountered when winding the covering l00.
`
`Alternatively, a single threshold may be used. The control board I 10 may include additional
`
`circuitry or electronics for the covering 100 such as, for example, a motor controller.
`
`[0036] Other methods for stopping the motor 106 may be used such as, for example, a
`
`mechanical or electrical limiter switchfcontrol (e.g., limiter switchesfcontrols disclosed herein)
`
`may be used. Alternatively, a one-way slipping bearing may be used as described in Figure 2. In
`
`some such examples, no torque sensing-COntrol or limiter switchesl’controls will be used.
`
`In
`
`some such examples, the control board 1 10 includes a timer control to stop the motor 106 after
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`an amount oftime sufficient to fully wind or fully unwind the roller blind 100.
`
`[0037] The control board I 10 ofthe illustrated example is electrically connected to the motor
`
`106 via wires 145. The motor 106 ofthe illustrated example is an electric motor having an
`
`output shaft. The output shaft ofthe motor 106 is disposed on the proximate side while the
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`radial body (e.g., shell or casing) ofthe motor 106 is disposed 0n the distal side ofthe motor 106.
`
`However, this OrientatiOn may be reversed. The radial body of the motor 106 as illustrated in
`
`Figure l
`
`is fixedly attached to a radial casing ofthe gearbox 108 while the output shaft ofthe
`
`0006
`0006
`
`

`

`W0 20131052084
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`PCTI‘U520121'000429
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`motor 106 is connected to the internal components of the gearbox 108. The radial casing of the
`
`gearbox 108 is fixedly attached to a radial frame 147 using mechanical fixtures such as screws
`
`148, 149. The radial frame 14'?r is fixed to the interior radial surface ofthe roller tube 1 12.
`
`[0038] The gearbox 108 ofthe illustrated example includes an output shaft 152 that is driven by
`
`the output shaft of the motor 106 via the gears of the gearbox 108. The gears of the gearbox
`
`provide the appropriate revolution ratio between the shaft ofthe motor 106 and the shaft 152 is
`
`attached to the shaft coupling 102, which is attached to an output ofthe clutchfmount I 16. The
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`clutchi’mount l 16 is coupled with the manual control 104.
`
`[0039] The example clutdhfmount 1 16 of Figure 1 includes hooks 162, 164 that are insertable
`
`into openings 156, 158 ofa bracket 154. The hooks 162, 164 enable the covering 100 to be
`
`secured to the bracket 154 via the openings 156, 158. The bracket 154 of the illustrated example
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`is secured in or adjacent to an architectural opening using a mechanical fixture such as a screw
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`160. The hook and bracket mounting is provided by way of example and other systems for
`
`mounting the roller blind 100 may be used.
`
`[0040] When the motor 106 of the illustrated example is operated and the manual control 104 is
`
`not operated, the clutchi’mount 1 16 holds the shaft coupling 102, the output shaft 152 ofthe
`
`gearbox 108, and, thereby, the output shaft of the motor 106 stationary with respect to the
`
`bracket 154. Accordingly, the radial body of the motor 106 rotates with respect to the bracket
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`154 when the motor 106 is Operated. The rotation of the radial body of the motor 106 causes the
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`gearbox 108, the frame 147, and the roller tube 1 12 to rotate. Accordingly, the roller tube 1 12
`
`will wind or unwind the ccwering material when the motor 106 is operated.
`
`[0041] When the manual control 104 ofthe illustrated example is operated and the motor 106 is
`
`not operated, the output shaft ofthe motor 106 is prevented from rotating by a brake included in
`
`the motor 106. Alternatively, the gearbox 108 may include a brake or other components may be
`
`provided to prevent the output shaft of the motor 106 frOm rotating with respect to the radial
`
`body ofthe motor 106. The operation ofthe manual control 104 (e.g., by pulling a continuous
`
`cord loop) causes the clutch/mount 1 16 to impart rotation on the shaft coupling 102. The
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`rotatiOn ofthe shaft Coupling 102 causes the output shaft 152 ofthe gearbox 108 to rotate.
`
`Because the output shaft of the motor 106 is fixed with respect to the radial body ofthe motor
`
`106, the rotation ofthe output shaft 152 ofthe gearbox 108 causes the radial casing of the
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`0007
`0007
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`PCTIU520121'000429
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`gearbox 108 and the radial body of the motor 106 to rotate. The rotation of the radial body of the
`
`motor 106 causes the frame 147 and the roller tube 1 12 to rotate. Accordingly, the roller tube
`
`1 12 will wind or unwind the covering material when the manual control 210 is operated.
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`[0042] When the manual c0ntrol 104 and the motor 106 are operated simultaneously, their
`
`operation is additive. When both the manual control 104 and the motor 106 are operated to wind
`
`the roller blind 100, the roller blind 100 is wound at an increased rate. When both the manual
`
`control 104 and the motor 106 are operated to unwind the roller blind 100, the roller blind 100 is
`
`unwound at an- increased rate. When the manual control 104 and the motor 106 are operated in
`
`opposite directions, the roller blind 100 is more slowly wound or unwound depending on the
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`relative movement ofthe manual control 104 and the motor 106.
`
`[0043] Because the example motor uses torque detection to determine when the winding or
`
`unwinding limits have been reached, operation ofthe manual control [04 does not interfere with
`
`the motorized control ofthe roller blind 100.
`
`In other words, according to the illustrated
`
`example, calibration or resetting of limit positions is not necessary after operation ofthe manual
`
`control 104.
`
`In implementations where mechanical or electrouic limiter switches are used in
`
`place ofthe torque detection, the limiter switches may not need to be calibrated or reset afier
`
`Operation of the manual control 104 where the operation of the operation of the manual control
`
`104 is detected by the limiter switches. For example, when a screw (e.g., the screw ofa
`
`mechanical limiter switch system is advanced when the manual control 104 is operated,'the
`
`limiter switch system will not need to be calibrated after operation by the manual control 104.
`
`[0044] In the illustrated example of Figure 1, the body ofthe motor 106 rotates while the output
`
`shafi ofthe motor 106 is stationary. The body ofthe motor 106 ofthe illustrated example
`
`includes winding coils (typically called the stator) while the output shaft includes a rod and
`
`magnet(s) (typically known as the rotor). Other types of motors may be used.
`
`[0045] Figure 2 illustrates an example covering 200 that includes a roller tube 201 containing a
`
`grooved hub 202, a one-way slip clutch 204, a gearbox 206, and a motor 203. As will be
`
`explained in further detail, the one-way slip clutch 204 is a torque limiting motor coupling that
`
`enables the covering 200 to be operated without the need for electronic or mechanical limiter
`
`switches. The covering 200 can be mounted with a manual control 210 that allows for manual
`
`0008
`0008
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`PCTIU520121'000429
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`winding or unwinding of covering material (not illustrated) attached to the roller tube 20].
`
`Alternatively, the covering 200 is mounted with a stationary connector 212.
`
`[0046] The grooved hub 202 includes grooves to receive splines ofa radial protrusiou 214 ofthe
`
`manual control 2] 0 or splines ofa radial protrusion 216 of the stationary connector 212. A distal
`
`side of the grooved hub 202 is fixed to the rotation of the one-way slip clutch 204 by a tang.
`
`Accordingly, rotation ofthe grooved hub 202 applies rotational torque to the one-way slip clutch
`204.
`I
`
`[004?] The one-way slip clutch 204 ofthe illustrated example includes an adapter shaft to
`
`receive a drive shaft 218 ofthe gearbox 206. The adapter shaft is similar to the adapter shaft 90
`
`deseribed in conjunction with Figure 5. A proximate end of the casing of the gearbox 206 is
`
`fixed to a frame 220 that is fixed to an interior surface ofthe roller tube 201. Accordingly, when
`
`the casing ofthe gearbox 206 is rotated, the frame 220 causes rotation ofthe roller tube 201.
`
`[0048] A distal end ofthe casing ofthe gearbox is fixed to a casing ofthe motor 208. The
`
`gearbox ofthe illustrated example includes an adapter shaft to receive a drive shaft ofthe motor
`
`208. The drive shaft of motor 208 rotatably drives gears of the gearbox 206 to, in turn, rotatably
`
`drive the drive shaft 218 ofthe gearbox 206.
`
`[0049] The one-way slip clutch 204 prevents torque from being applied to the roller tube 20] of
`
`the illustrated example in the unwinding direction. Additionally, the one-way slip clutch 204
`
`prevents torque exceeding a threshold from being applied to the roller tube 201 in the winding
`
`direction.
`
`[0050] The covering 200 includes wires 208 having a proximate end fixed to a distal end ofthe
`
`motor 208. A distal end ofthe wires 208 are fixed to a slip-ring connector 222. The slip-ring
`
`connector 222 ofthe illustrated example includes a first contact 224 and a second contact 226.
`
`The slip-ring connector 222 receives an adapter 228 having a post 230 that includes a first
`
`conductive ring 232 and a second-conductive ring 234. The adapter 228 includes wires 236
`
`including one or more plug(s) 238. The adapter 228 (e.g., a conical cover, an end cap, a plug,
`
`etc.) can be releasably mounted in a cavity 242 formed by a first edge 244 and a second edge 246
`
`ofa bracket 240. The bracket 240 can be secured in and or adjacent to an architectural opening.
`
`Supply wires 248 are connected to an electrical supply (e.g., a source of commercial power) and
`
`include one or more receptacle(s) 250 to receive the one or more plug(s) 238. The supply wires
`
`0009
`0009
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`PCTJ'US20] 21’000429
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`248, wires 236, and wires 221 may be replaced by a combination ofwires and one or more
`
`batteries to provide electrical power to the roller blind 200.
`
`[0051] When the roller tube 201 is rotated, the slip-ring connector 222 including the first contact
`
`224 and the second contact 226 is rotated. The first contact 224 and the second contact 226 are
`
`deformable to allow the first contact 224 to remain in contact with the first conductive ring 232
`
`and the second contact 226 to remain in contact with the second conductive ring 234. The
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`adapter 228 remains stationary in the bracket 240 when the roller tube 20] is rotated. Any other
`
`type of slip-ring or other type of connection may alternatively be used.
`
`[0052] The manual control 210 and the stationary connector 212 of the illustrated example
`
`include hooks 252, 254 that are receivable by cavities 258, 260 ofa bracket 256 to mount the
`
`manual control 210 andz’or the stationary connector 212 in andfor adjacent to an architectural
`
`opening to which the bracket 256 is secured.
`
`[0053] The manual centrol 210 ofthe illustrated example includes a beaded chain 262 to drive a
`
`pulley 264. The pulley 264 is attached to the radial protrusion 214 via a clutch. The clutch
`
`prevents the radial protrusion from rotating when the pulley 264 is not being rotated by the
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`beaded chain 262. Other types of manual controls may be used such as, for example, a rope and
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`pulley, a worm gear contrbl, etc. Any type of mechanical or electronic clutch may be used.
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`[0054] Turning to the operation ofthe covering 200, when the motor 208 is operated and the
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`manual control 210 is not operated, the clutch ofthe manual control 210 holds the radial
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`protrusion 214, the grooved hub 202, the drive shaft 218 ofthe gearbox 206, and, thereby, the
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`output shaft ofthe motor 208 stationary with respect to the bracket 256. Accordingly, the casing
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`ofthe motor 208 rotates with respect to the bracket 256 when the motor 208 is operated. The
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`rotation of the casing of the motor 208 causes the casing ofthe gearbox 206, the frame 220, and
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`the roller tube 20! to rotate. Accordingly, the roller tube 20] will wind or unwind covering
`material when the motor 208 is Operated.
`I
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`[0055] When the manual control 210 is operated and the motor 208 is not operated, the output
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`shalt ofthe motor 208 is prevented from rotating by a brake included in the motor 208.
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`Alternatively, the gearbox 206 may include a brake or other compouents may be provided to
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`prevent the output shaft of the motor 208 from rotating with respect to the casing of the motor
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`208 when the manual control 210 is operated. The operation ofthe manual control 210 (e.g., by
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`0010
`0010
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`WO 2013105208!-
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`PCTJ'U320121’000429
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`pulling the beaded chain 262) causes the pulley 264 to impart rotation on the radial protrusion
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`214. The rotation of the radial protrusion 214 causes the grooved hub 202, the drive shaft 218 of
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`the gearbox 206, and the drive shaft ofthe motor 208 to rotate. Because the drive shaft ofthe
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`motor 208 is fixed with respect to the casing ofthe motor 208, the rotation ofthe drive shaft 218
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`of the gearbox 206 causes the casing ofthe gearbox 206 and the casing ofthe motor 208 to
`rotate. The rotation of the casing of the gearbox 206 causes the frame 220 and the roller tube
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`201 to rotate. Accordingly, the roller tube 201 will wind or unwind covering material when the
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`manual control 210 is operated.
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`[0056] 'When the manual control 210 and the motor 208 are Operated simultaneously, their
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`operation is additive. When both the manual control 210 and the motor 208 are Operated to wind
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`the covering 200, the material arOund the roller tube 201 is wound at an increased rate. When
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`both the manual control 210 and the motor 208 are operated to unwind the covering 200, the
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`material around the roller tube 201 is unwound at an increased rate. When the manual centrol'
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`210 and the motor 208 are operated in opposite directions, the covering 200 is more slowly
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`onnd or unwound.
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`[0057] In the example of Figure 2, the casing ofthe motor 208 rotates while the drive shaft of
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`the motor 208 is stationary. The casing ofthe motor 208 ofthe illustrated example includes
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`winding coils (typically called the stator) while the output shaft includes a rod and magnet(s)
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`(typically known as the rotor). Other types of motors may be used.
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`[0058] Flowcharts representative of example machine readable instructions for implementing a
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`controller of, for example, the control board 120 of FIG. 1, the control board 1900 of FIG. 19, or
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`any other controller is shown in FIGS. 3-6.
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`In these examples, the machine readable instructions
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`comprise a program for execution by a processing system such as the processing system 2200
`discussed in connection with FIG. 22. The program may be embodied in software stored on a
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`tangible computer readable medium such as a CD—ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital
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`versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor 2212, but the
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`entire program andfor parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the
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`processor 22l2 andKor embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although the
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`example program is described with reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, many
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`other methods of implementing a controller may alternatively be used. For example, the order of
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`-10-
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`0011
`0011
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`W0 2013(052084
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`PCTIU520121'000429
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`execution of the biocks may be changed, andfor some of the blocks described may be changed,
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`eliminated, or combined.
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`[0059] As mentioned above, the example processes of FIGS. 3-6 may be implemented using
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`coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable
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`medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), 3 campact disk
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`(CD), a- digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) andfor any other
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`storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods,
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`permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, andfor for caching ofthe
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`information). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined
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`to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating
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`signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of FIGS. 3-6 may be implemented
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`using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory
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`computer readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a
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`compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random—access memory andfor any other storage
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`media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods,
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`permanently, briefinstances, for temporarily buffering, andfor for caching ofthe
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`information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly
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`defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals.
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`As used herein, when the phrase "at least" is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim,
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`it is open-ended in the same manner as the term "comprising" is open ended. Thus, a claim using
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`"at least" as the transition term in its preamble may include elements in addition to those
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`expressly recited in the claim.
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`[0060] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating example method to control operation ofa roller type
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`architectural opening covering. The example method of Figure 3 is described in conjunction
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`with the covering 100 of Figure l. However, the example method may be used with any other
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`covering (e.g., the covering 200 of Figure 2).
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`[006]] The example instructions of Figure 3 begin when the centrol board 1 l0 receives an
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`instruction to wind the roller tube 112 (block 302). For example, the control board 110 may
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`receive an instruction fi‘om a wireless remote control via a wireless receiver included in the
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`coutrol board 1 10, from a wired remote control, from a button on a control panel, etc.
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`In
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`-11-
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`0012
`0012
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`W0 2013f052084
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`PCTIU520121'000429
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`response to the instruction, the control board 1 10 Operates the motor 106‘ in a winding direction
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`(e.g., to raise covering material attached to the roller tube 1 12) (block 304). As previously
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`described, the clutchfmount 1 l6 prevents rotation ofthe output shaft ofthe motor 106.
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`Accordingly, the radial body ofthe motor 106, the radial casing ofthe gearbox 108, the frame
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`14?, and the roller tube 1 12 are rotated. The control board 110 determines ifthe torque on the
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`motor exceeds a winding torque threshold (block 306). For example, when the covering 100 is
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`wound to its-upper-most limit, a bottom bar or weight attached to the covering material will
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`reach a frame of the covering 100 and prevent rotation of the roller tube 100 around which the
`covering material is wrapped. This stoppage'will cause the