DE19904226A1 - Sunshade controller has light sensor that generates control signal, circuit for processing signal to control motor drive, transmitter and receiver for wireless control signal transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control for motor-driven sun protection elements in the living room and office area, such as blinds, roller blinds, awnings or the like, with a light sensor generating control signals and a switching device processing the control signals of the light sensor for controlling the motor drive. According to the invention, a transmitting device and a receiving device for wireless control signal transmission between the light sensor and the switching device are provided. This solution of the invention makes it much easier to use such controls in the living room and office area, since in many respects annoying cabling between sensors and switching devices is eliminated.

Description

The invention relates to a control system for motor-driven sun protection elements in the living room. and office areas, such as blinds, roller blinds, awnings or the like, with a control signal generating light sensor and a processing the control signals of the light sensor Switching device for controlling the motor drive.

Such controls for motor-driven sun protection elements are in use known. The light sensor of these known controls is connected to a suction cup, with the help of which it can be attached to a window pane. The signal transmission takes place via a cable led from the light sensor to the switching device. With a be agreed, light intensity detected by the light sensor, the motor drive z. B. one Venetian blind put into operation via the switching device. The switching device is in one Ge housing a wall switch or a similar housing, over which the motor drive can be controlled by hand independently of the control signals of the light sensor is.

The present invention has for its object a new control for motor to create driven sun protection elements of the type mentioned, which in their use value is improved.

The control solving this problem according to the invention is by means of wire loose control signal transmission between light sensor and switching device.

This solution of the invention eliminates the cable connection mentioned, which the users such controls for sun protection elements in the living room and office area  has significantly hindered the invisible routing of the connection cable in most Cases too expensive and the cables when attaching the light sensor to the window pane supply is at least partially impossible. A freely routed cable is for the sake of Interior design is not acceptable and carries both the risk of injury as well destruction of the device by accidental tearing of the cable connection. In front everything can be blocked by the cable opening the window.

The wireless signal transmission takes place in a known manner with the help of electromagnetic Waves or ultrasonic waves. Electromagnetic waves are particularly preferred Radio frequency range, which in contrast to light waves also transmit signals allow through partitions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in addition to the control signals Light sensor control signals from at least one further sensor, in particular wireless, transferable. For example, another sensor for detecting vibrations or Breakage of its support base may be provided, the light sensor and the further sensor are combined in a unit which can be attached to a window pane. If an attempt is made to destroy the pane, or if the pane is destroyed, the other person speaks Sensor on, and there is a signal that z. B. leads to the extension of a blind. On Attempts to break in can at least be made more difficult. Another sensor would be in this A motion detector is also conceivable.

Furthermore, sensors for the detection of z. B. wind, precipitation or temperature suitable environmental data are provided, whereby wind and precipitation-sensing Sen sensors are particularly suitable for controlling the motor drive of awnings.

The sensors for recording environmental data are also expedient in one device summarized unit, the z. B. can be installed in the roof area of a house.

The transmission device is also advantageously integrated into the respective structural unit and as all Sensors of the unit common transmitter device is formed. Thus the transfer takes place transmission of the control signals of all sensors via one transmission channel or several transmissions channels, but signal characteristic of the signals from the individual sensors modulations can be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving device and the Switching device in the housing of a switch, in particular a wall switch, for the  Motor drive arranged. The motor drive for sunbathing can be operated via the wall switch Protection element switched by hand regardless of the signals from the individual sensors become.

The receiving device and the switching device are expediently in one structural unit summarized.

In the switch housing, a, in particular programmable, time circuit for Control of the motor drive can be arranged, via which independently of the tax signals from the sensors, the sun protection element is moved at specific times that can.

The timer advantageously has a display on which, for. B. the set switching time points can be represented. The display is preferably used for program-controlled image or / and character generation, in particular pixel-wise, controllable. In contrast to Displays with fixed programming of the display elements can in this case by the End manufacturers or distributors, for example, B. Display considering customer needs programming done.

The receiving device, the switching device and the time switch in are advantageous a unit and the switch can be retrofitted by this unit.

Furthermore, a transmission device that can be integrated into this structural unit can be provided, which, if necessary with a time delay, switching signals for other suns in the room or house protective fire devices.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching device can control Receive signals from a handheld remote control, with such a handheld remote control the motor drives of several sun protection elements can be switched simultaneously can to z. B. all blinds in a room from a central location at the same time retract or extend. The remote control can be designed as a wall switch, wel cher z. B. is arranged near a room exit.

The invention will now be based on an embodiment and the accompanying this embodiment relating drawings will be explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a controller according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the controller of FIG. 1.

With the reference numeral 1 , a wall switch with buttons 2 and 3 is characterized in the figures. A drive motor 4 for a blind, not shown, can be controlled via the buttons 2 and 3 . The blind is provided with a window frame 6 on a section 5 of a window. The blind can be raised by pressing the switch button 3 , and lowered by pressing the switch button 2 .

In the plastic housing of the wall switch 1 there are a central control circuit 7 comprising a microprocessor, a display 8 visible on the front panel of the switch 1 , a receiving device 9 passing on signals to the central control circuit 7 , an input device 11 comprising buttons 10 and a power switching device 12 for the control of the drive motor 4 housed. The power switching device 12 is connected to the switching buttons 2 and 3 . The devices 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 are combined in a unit 10 which can be inserted into the housing of the wall switch 1 . A time circuit is formed by programming the central control circuit.

The reference numeral 13 denotes a sensor unit which is attached to the pane of the window 5 in a window corner area by means of a transparent adhesive film 14 . A light sensor 15 and a vibration sensor 16 are accommodated in the sensor module 13 having a plastic housing. The light sensor 15 receives light through an opening 17 in the plastic housing of the sensor assembly 13 . As a light sensor comes z. B. a photoconductive diode into consideration. The vibration sensor can be formed, inter alia, by a switch which has a movable, for. B. has formed by mercury contact.

The light sensor 15 and the vibration sensor 16 are connected to a transmitting device 18 , which, like the two sensors, is accommodated in the structural unit 13 . The carrier frequency or carrier wave of the transmission device 18 is differently modulated and coded differently depending on whether signals from the light sensor or vibration sensor are transmitted.

The reference numeral 19 denotes a further sensor module which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, contains a wind sensor 20 , a precipitation sensor 21 and a temperature sensor 22 . Each of the sensors 20 to 22 is connected to a transmission device 23 . The transmitting device 23 transmits the signals of all sensors 20 to 22 on the same carrier frequency. Like the signals from the sensors 15 and 16 of the transmitter unit 13 , the signals from the various sensors 20 to 22 are modulated differently and can be identified with respect to their origin.

The reference numeral 23 designates a wall switch, in the plastic housing of which a switch device (not shown) which can be activated by means of push buttons 2 'and 3 ' is accommodated. The wall switch 23 is used for remote control of the switching device housed in the wall switch 1 , the function of the switch buttons 2 and 3 of the wall switch 1 being taken over by the switch buttons 2 'and 3 ' of the wall switch 23 .

The central control circuit 7 can be programmed according to different functional requirements, so that, for. B. certain links between the signals of the various sensors lead to switching events and setting options, eg. B. of thresholds, the input device 11 and the buttons 2 and 3 exist.

The mode of operation of the control described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is explained below.

To install the controller, the sensor module 13 is fastened to the inside of the window at a point suitable for detecting the incidence of light through the window via the adhesive film 14 .

The arrangement of the sensor assembly 19 takes place outside z. B. in the roof area of a house.

If a wall switch prepared for accommodating the structural unit 10 has already been installed, it is only necessary to retrofit it accordingly. The remote control wall switch 23 is installed at a suitable location in the room, e.g. B. near an exit door. The latter installation is particularly considered if the drives of several sun protection elements are to be activated via a single such remote control wall switch, for example for the simultaneous retraction or extension of all blinds in a room.

When indicated by the display 8 , the buttons 2 and 3 are used to set certain times at which the blinds should be retracted or extended. Furthermore, degrees of brightness can be set at which the sensor 15 triggers a closing of the window 5 by the blind. Corresponding settings can also be carried out in relation to the sensor 16 and the sensors 20 to 21 of the sensor unit 19 .

The light sensor 15 supplies signals which are transmitted by the transmitter 18 to the device 9 and are processed in the central control circuit 7 . In the event of a threshold value, the power switching device 11 a switching signal can be conces- provides, through which the power switching circuit 11 sets the motor drive 4 in operation so that the blind is lowered.

A closing of the window through the blind also takes place when the vibration sensor 16 generates a signal, e.g. B. in a burglary attempt in which the window 5 is destroyed. Lowering the blind then at least makes the break-in more difficult. The central control circuit 7 is programmed so that in the event of a switching signal being triggered by the vibration sensor 16 based on the signals from the other sensors, no effective switching signals can be generated by which the blinds would possibly be raised again. An opening of the blind is then only possible by a person operating the switch button 3 of the wall switch 1 .

Like the sensor signals of the assembly 13 , the wirelessly transmitted signals from the sensors 20 to 21 of the assembly 19 can also trigger circuits of the drive motor 4 , a corresponding switching signal being triggered by the control circuit 7 only when signals are being sent from several sensors, for example Wind and precipitation signals with a certain intensity, so that the blind is only closed when a certain wind force is accompanied by rain.

Regardless of the switching signals triggered by sensor signals, the blinds can be moved using buttons 2 and 3 or 2 'and 3 ' as well as the signals of the timer.

A battery voltage supply is provided for the sensor module 13 , so that no unsightly supply cables are routed to the module attached to the window. The battery charge status could be shown on the display 8 . An energy supply based on solar cells would also be conceivable, in particular in one embodiment without the vibration sensor 16 . In this case, energy only needs to be available if it is necessary to generate and send out a signal indicating the brightness. It could be provided that the light sensor only emits a signal above a threshold value for brightness.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensor module 19 could additionally contain a light sensor which is able to detect light intensities when the blinds are closed and which triggers a switching signal which triggers the retraction of the blinds when the light level has dropped suitably. In this embodiment, the sensor module could be used in an awning control, the light sensor providing control signals for extending and retracting the awning.

Claims (16)

1. Control for motor-driven sun protection elements in the living and office area, such as blinds, roller blinds, awnings or the like, with a light sensor ( 15 ) generating control signals and a switching device ( 7 , 12 ) processing the control signals of the light sensor for controlling the motor drive ( 4 ) , characterized by a transmitting device ( 18 ) and a receiving device ( 9 ) for wireless control signal transmission between the light sensor ( 15 ) and the switching device ( 7 , 12 ). 2. Control according to claim 1, characterized, that signal transmission by means of electromagnetic waves, especially on the radio frequency range is provided. 3. Control according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in addition to the control signals of the light sensor ( 15 ) control signals from at least one further sensor ( 16 ; 20-22 ), in particular wireless, are transferable. 4. Control according to claim 3, characterized in that a further sensor ( 16 ) for detecting shocks or breakage of the sensor carrier is provided. 5. Control according to claim 4, characterized in that the light sensor ( 15 ) and the further sensor ( 16 ) are combined in one structural unit ( 13 ). 6. Control according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light sensor ( 15 ) or the light sensor ( 15 ) comprising the unit ( 13 ) can be attached to a window pane as a sensor carrier. 7. Control according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that further sensors ( 20-22 ), in particular for the detection of z. B. wind, precipitation or temperature-related environmental data are provided. 8. Control according to claim 7, characterized in that at least the sensors ( 20-22 ) are combined in a structural unit ( 19 ). 9. Control according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the transmission device ( 18 , 23 ), in particular as common for all sensors Sen deeinrichtung, is integrated into the respective unit ( 13 , 19 ). 10. Control according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the receiving device ( 9 ) and the switching device ( 7 , 12 ) in the housing of a switch, in particular wall switch ( 1 ) for the motor drive ( 4 ) are arranged. 11. Control according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the receiving device ( 9 ) and the switching device ( 7 , 12 ) are combined to form a structural unit ( 10 ). 12. Control according to claim 10 or 11, characterized, that in the housing a, in particular programmable, timing circuit for control the motor drive is arranged. 13. Control according to claim 12, characterized, that the switching device and / or timer includes a display. 14. Control according to claim 13, characterized, that the timer is integrated in one unit.   15. Control according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the switch can be retrofitted by the structural unit ( 10 ). 16. Control according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized, that the display for program-controlled image and / or character generation, esp special pixel-wise, can be controlled.