DE20000682U1 - Device for controlling the movement of a shading device - Google Patents

Description

BONSMANN & BONSMANN · '··'-'·>'..".Kaldenkirchener Strasse 35a

D-41063 Mönchengladbach PATENT ATTORNEYS _Tel 02161/12114 Fax 16296

File: 99 279

Helmut Beyers GmbH

Böttger Str. 8a, 41066 Mönchengladbach

Device for controlling the movement of a
Shading device

The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for a movable shading device, in particular for a roller shutter, a blind or an awning. It also relates to such a shading device itself and to a control arrangement.

Movable shading devices of the type mentioned above contain a shading surface that can be changed in size and is intended to keep the effects of solar radiation, rain, wind and the like away from a place that is to be protected. The shading surface is usually exposed to external influences that can cause stress and, if threshold values are exceeded, even destruction of the shading device.

For example, an awning that is extended horizontally or at a slight incline as a sun protection is exposed to the wind, which can exert considerable forces due to the large awning surface and the leverage effect. If the wind is too strong, such as in gusts, these forces can lead to damage to the awning and its supporting elements. In order to avoid such wind damage to awnings, it is well known that the locally prevailing wind speed should be taken into account.

speed and to retract the awning if the wind strength exceeds a certain level. A cup anemometer is usually attached to an exposed location, such as the roof of a house, to measure the wind speed. These measured values are then compared with values stored in the awning control system, which are primarily based on experience. If the above comparison values are exceeded, the awning is retracted completely. The disadvantage of this is that the wind speed measured at a location far away from the awning only inadequately correlates with the loads actually occurring on the awning. It is therefore possible that the awning is retracted unnecessarily, or that critical force ratios on the awning are not detected, which can therefore lead to damage to the awning.

Another example of a movable shading device is a roller shutter. In this case, the problem is less the force of the wind than the forces that arise in the event of a malfunction during the movement of the roller shutter, for example if the roller shutter slats become jammed when the roller shutter is extended or retracted. If such a situation occurs, it can lead to the destruction of the roller shutter drive and/or the roller shutter itself. Furthermore, a roller shutter can be exposed to unusual forces if attempts are made to open it by force, for example in the event of a break-in.

The object of the present invention was to design a movable shading device such as a roller shutter, a blind or an awning in such a way that it is effectively protected against damage caused by external forces.

or can carry out an appropriate reaction to such forces.

This object is achieved by a sensor arrangement for a movable shading device according to claim 1. This sensor arrangement is characterized in that it contains at least one acceleration sensor and/or at least one inclination sensor for detecting movements and/or the position of the shading device. Acceleration and inclination sensors react in principle to the same quantity, namely to a mass force acting on a test body. The mass force can be an inertial force during an accelerated movement of the test body. It can also be a mass gravitational force acting on the test body, such as the earth's gravity; in the latter case, this is also referred to as static acceleration, since this also occurs when the acceleration sensor is at rest. In contrast, the effect occurring during an accelerated movement is referred to as dynamic acceleration. Since the static acceleration indicates the direction of the earth's gravitational field, it can be used to determine the inclination of the sensor relative to the earth's gravitational field, which is why a corresponding sensor is also referred to as an inclination sensor.

With the sensor arrangement according to the invention, accelerated movements of the shading device, which occur for example in the event of impacts, blows, vibrations or the like, can be detected. Furthermore, the orientation of the shading device relative to the earth's gravitational field can be determined with the help of an inclination sensor. The quantities mentioned therefore provide valuable information about the condition of the shading device, in particular about

forces acting on the shading device. Such external forces lead directly to the detected accelerated movement of the shading device. This makes it possible to specifically record the quantities whose effects on the shading device are to be prevented. For example, in the case of an awning, the forces exerted on the awning by a gust of wind can be recorded directly. Unlike with a remotely mounted cup anemometer, on the one hand the relevant quantities are measured at the actual point of action, and on the other hand the quantity of interest itself (the force) is recorded. If, on the other hand, only the wind speed is measured, as is the case with the state of the art, the actual effect of this wind on the shading device depends on numerous other factors, for example the wind direction, the current area of the shading device, the strength of the mechanical supports of the shading device, the structural environment, the plants or the degree of foliage, and the like.

In the case of a roller shutter, the sensor arrangement according to the invention allows the detection of critical conditions such as jamming during the opening process or the use of force during a break-in attempt. If these situations are recognized, an appropriate response can be made.

According to claim 2, the sensor arrangement preferably contains an evaluation device which generates at least one control signal depending on at least one sensor output signal. The acceleration states measured by the sensors are thus converted into sensor output signals which are then evaluated and processed by the evaluation device in a predetermined manner. If certain

If conditions exist, a corresponding control signal is generated. This control signal can be used to initiate further suitable reactions. The evaluation unit can thus pre-filter and reduce the amount of data provided by the sensors.

The invention further relates to a movable shading device, in particular a roller shutter, a blind or an awning, which is characterized in that it has a sensor arrangement of the type described above. With such a shading device, the detection of external forces is possible, so that a targeted and optimal reaction to these forces can be initiated.

According to claim 4, the shading device preferably contains a drive for moving the shading device, which is connected to the sensor arrangement unidirectionally or bidirectionally for data transmission. Such a connection between the sensor arrangement and the drive can ensure that the sensor signals influence the drive or, conversely, that the drive state influences the sensors.

The latter could be useful, for example, to inform the sensors about the activity of the drive so that they can be temporarily switched off.

According to claim 5, the shading device preferably contains means for wireless data transmission between the sensor arrangement and the drive. The data is preferably transmitted by radio, but transmission by infrared signals or ultrasound is also possible. The receiving part for the wireless signals

can be installed in the roller shutter or awning control, for example. The sensor should transmit as infrequently as possible in order to conserve its energy supply, which typically comes from a battery or accumulator.

It can therefore be useful for the sensor to indicate acceleration only with a short transmission pulse and then wait for an acknowledgement signal from the controller. This requires bidirectional data transmission.

Wireless transmission has the advantage that no complex cabling is required between the sensor arrangement and the drive. This is desirable because the sensor arrangement and the drive are usually spatially separated from one another, as the drive is typically installed in the building and the sensors are arranged in an exposed position on the shading device. Furthermore, wireless transmission of the data allows existing shading devices to be retrofitted more easily with the sensor arrangement according to the invention. Radio transmission of the data has the advantage over other wireless transmission methods that there is no need for visual contact or acoustic contact between the transmitter and receiver. In particular, the signals can be transmitted through closed windows and through walls.

According to claim 6, the drive can be provided with a control system which can trigger a change in the movement of the shading device when predefined sensor signal patterns are detected. For example, an awning can be retracted when large external forces and thus accelerations occur. The rolling up of a roller shutter can also be stopped if it becomes jammed and therefore blocked.

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In a further development of the invention according to claim 7, the shading device contains an alarm device which is connected to the sensor arrangement unidirectionally or bidirectionally for data transmission. The alarm device can be used to indicate fault conditions to the user of the shading device. Depending on the urgency of the fault situation, appropriate acoustic and/or optical signals can be used to attract the user's attention. In particular, it is possible to alert the user to the use of force on a closed roller shutter, which suggests an attempted break-in.

The invention further relates to a control arrangement according to claim 8 for controlling the movement of a shading device, in particular a roller shutter, a blind or an awning, which is characterized by means by which static and/or dynamic accelerations occurring at the shading device are measured, and by which the movement state of the shading device is changed when certain acceleration patterns are present, taking into account the state of the shading device. This means that accelerations occurring at the shading device, which indicate the effect of forces, are observed and detected; if a certain acceleration pattern, which is defined by the amplitude, frequency, duration and the like of the accelerations, is recognized, this can lead to a change in the movement state of the shading device that represents an appropriate reaction to the detected acceleration. The current state of the shading device must be taken into account, for example whether it is extended or retracted or

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whether it is currently moving. The change in the state of movement of the shading device can mean that a movement has started, ended or its speed or direction has changed. Since accelerations are measured in the control arrangement according to the invention and these are directly correlated with the external forces acting, an effective reaction to potential dangerous situations that is at the same time limited to what is necessary is possible.

According to claim 9, a possible reaction mechanism is that when threshold values of the dynamic acceleration are exceeded, a complete or partial retraction of the shading device is triggered. If the shading device is, for example, an electric motor-driven awning in which an acceleration sensor is arranged in the end region of the extendable awning surface, the wind forces acting on the awning surface can be detected via the dynamic acceleration.

If these wind forces become dangerously high, the dynamic acceleration exceeds a threshold value. This excess can then trigger a signal to retract the awning. The awning does not need to be retracted completely if the specified wind forces or accelerations are exceeded, as the risk potential of a wind force depends on the surface area available on the awning. The awning can therefore only be retracted to a certain extent, for example halfway. Continued measurements can then be used to determine whether the permissible wind forces or accelerations are still being exceeded. In this case, the awning would be retracted a further step. This process can be repeated until the wind forces remain in a subcritical range.

In a further development of the control arrangement described last according to claim 10, if dynamic accelerations above a certain threshold value do not occur for a predetermined period of time, a complete or partial extension of the shading device can be triggered. Continuing the example of an awning retracted under wind loads started above, this means that the wind forces occurring in the retracted state are further monitored. If the dynamic accelerations (i.e. the wind forces) do not exceed a certain, predeterminable threshold value for a predetermined period of time, e.g. 15 to 30 minutes, the awning could be extended again because the critical wind condition is obviously over. The awning could be extended completely. Preferably, however, the awning is only extended a little bit again for testing purposes and it is observed whether the wind forces or dynamic accelerations in the new position are still below the mentioned threshold value. If this is the case, the awning can be extended a little further until the position that is just acceptable given the current wind conditions is found.

Of course, the control arrangement according to the invention can also be used to detect more complex acceleration patterns and use them for control purposes. For example, an attempt can be made to detect the approach of strong gusts by high wind speeds and/or by strong changes in wind speed over time. If such a condition is detected, a command is preferably given to fully retract an awning, as otherwise unforeseeable damage is possible.

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The control arrangement according to the invention has the advantage that, in contrast to a wind speed measurement, the relevant variables, namely the forces acting on the awning (or the "shaking" of the wind on the awning), are measured directly. In this way, a wide range of parameters - such as the current wind direction, the stability and the geometric arrangement of the awning - are taken into account and, in contrast to the known solutions that rely on rough estimates for the wind speed, a normally disruptive retraction of the awning is only initiated when it is really necessary. The acceleration sensors can also be easily retrofitted to existing awning systems, as they are independent of the specific structure of the awning. Likewise, no intervention in the mechanics of the awning is necessary.

According to another variant of the control arrangement according to the invention, according to claim 11, if a predetermined angle of inclination is exceeded and/or if a standstill in movement is detected during the activity of a drive of the shading device, the said drive can be switched off. Such a procedure is of particular interest for roller shutters. In these cases, when the roller shutter is retracted or extended, the situation can arise that roller shutter slats become jammed in their guides and thus block the further movement of the roller shutter. If the drive motor continues to be active, the roller shutter and/or the motor will then be damaged with high probability. To avoid this, according to the invention, the angle of inclination can be determined on at least one roller shutter slat. If this deviates from the predetermined standard range, this indicates that the roller shutter slat is jammed. This can take advantage of the fact that most common acceleration sensors also have an inclination sensor.

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measurement (sometimes not the measurement of the absolute angle of inclination, but at least the measurement of a change in the angle of inclination). The described blocking of the roller shutter can also be recognized by the fact that the roller shutter comes to a standstill during the active phase of the drive. Such a standstill is manifested by a negative acceleration of the roller shutter (sudden braking), by an inclination or by the absence of dynamic accelerations (vibrations) that are actually to be expected when the roller shutter is extended or retracted. In response to a detected tilting of the roller shutter, the drive can be switched off or its direction of movement can be reversed.

In another variant of the control arrangement, according to claim 12, an alarm is triggered and/or the drive is activated when a predetermined angle of inclination is exceeded and/or when a dynamic acceleration is detected while the drive of the shading device is inactive. This type of functionality is useful, for example, for roller shutters, where unwanted external influences such as the roller shutter being pushed up by force are to be detected when the drive is extended. In the case of such influences, the angle of inclination of the roller shutter slats usually leaves the horizontal standard range when the drive is inactive. Significant dynamic accelerations also occur. Such signals therefore indicate external influences and can therefore be used to control the triggering of an alarm. Furthermore, an impulse can also be given to the roller shutter drive so that it moves the roller shutter forwards or backwards (preferably only for a short moment). This can deter the perpetrator.

The invention is explained below by way of example with the aid of the figures. They show:

Fig. 1 shows a roller shutter in a building with the sensor arrangement according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an acceleration sensor with radio transmitter;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a control device with radio receiver belonging to the arrangement according to Figure 2;

Fig. 4 an awning control with a wind measurement according to

the state of the art;

Fig. 5 an awning control according to the invention.

First, the invention is described with reference to a roller shutter as an example of a shading device. Figure 1 shows a partially closed roller shutter 2 in the window of a house 1. The slats or bars of the roller shutter are at a certain angle to the vertical side surfaces of the window. The angle of inclination α of the lowest roller shutter bar is specifically shown in the figure. The roller shutter bars are usually aligned horizontally, ie α = 90°. Figure 1 also shows the effect of two forces F ₁ and F ₂ on the roller shutter.

Typical problems with roller shutters are that when the roller shutter slats are extended or retracted they become jammed in their guides, causing the slats to shift.

In this case, the roller shutter movement may become blocked, which, if the electric roller shutter motor continues to operate, may lead to its destruction or to the destruction of the roller shutter. Another typical fault situation is when, for example, someone tries to open the roller shutter by force during a break-in. In this case, forces F ₁ , F ₂ of the type shown are exerted on the roller shutter.

The above-mentioned fault situations can be detected in a roller shutter equipped according to the invention and an appropriate response can be made. For this purpose, the roller shutter 2 is equipped with acceleration sensors 3, which are preferably arranged on the lowest slat. These sensors detect a dynamic or static (angle of inclination) acceleration, and the sensor signal can then be transmitted via a radio connection to the roller shutter control 4, which is arranged inside the house near the roller shutter.

Both when the roller shutter is jammed or when it is opened by force, there is usually a significant deviation of the angle of inclination α from the horizontal. This deviation can be detected using inclination sensors. Furthermore, by measuring the dynamic acceleration, it can be determined whether forces F are acting on the roller shutter, causing the accelerated movements.

A tilting of the roller shutter 2 is therefore manifested in the fact that during the activity of the roller shutter drive the angle of inclination α deviates from 90° and that due to the blocking of the roller shutter no more dynamic accelerations occur, although these would be expected during the movement of the roller shutter. If such a situation is detected,

This indicates a blockage and can be responded to by switching off the roller shutter drive. If necessary, a short travel command in the opposite direction can also be triggered to release the blockage.

If the fully or partially extended roller shutter is at a standstill (drive switched off) and deviations in the angle of inclination of 90° and the occurrence of dynamic acceleration are detected in this state, this indicates a violent external influence. In this case, a short lowering command can be generated (to deter with the driving noise), and if necessary, an alarm contact is closed to report to an alarm center or similar.

Figures 2 and 3 show block diagrams of the modules of the sensor attached to the roller shutter (Fig. 2) and the control unit attached to the roller shutter drive (Fig. 3). The acceleration sensor 5 is used to electrically record the vibrations and changes in the angle of inclination α caused by forces acting on the roller shutter and to process them in analog or digital form using the evaluation electronics 7. The result of this processing is transmitted wirelessly to the control system (Fig. 3) via the radio transmitter module 8. There, the radio signal is received by the radio receiver module 9 and forwarded to the evaluation electronics 10, which addresses a motor control module 11 according to a desired program.

There are the following options for the time of transmission: (a) when the permissible disturbances (tilt angle, acceleration) are detected; (b) continuously; (c) at fixed time intervals. The first option (a) has the advantage that it

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Transmission activity is only permitted in critical states, which conserves the sensor's energy resources.

The transmission path between the sensor and the control unit can be unidirectional or bidirectional. In any case, transmission from the sensor to the control unit must be possible. However, it can also be useful for the control unit to send signals to the sensor in the opposite direction. These can be, for example, acknowledgement signals for received data or requests to send signals about the current status. For bidirectional transmission, the sensor must contain a radio receiver module 6 and the control unit must contain a radio transmitter module 12. Furthermore, with bidirectional transmission, the radio system can be checked from time to time to ensure it is functioning properly.

The arrangement according to the invention is explained below in connection with the control of an awning. Figure 4 shows an awning 13 attached to a house 1 in the extended state. Due to the large awning surface, the wind can exert forces F which, in conjunction with the large lever arms of the projecting awning, can have a destructive effect. In the system according to the prior art shown in Figure 4, a cup anemometer 15 is therefore provided on the roof of the house, which measures the strength of the prevailing wind 16 there. The measured value is transmitted via a connecting line to the awning control 14. As soon as the wind strength exceeds a critical value, the awning is automatically retracted. The disadvantage here, however, is that the wind strength on the roof of the house usually only correlates inadequately with the actually relevant forces F on the awning. This can therefore lead to both superfluous and

It may also happen that the awning is not retracted by mistake.

According to the invention, a different type of awning control is therefore used, as shown in Figure 5. An acceleration sensor 17 is arranged on the awning 13. This is preferably done at its front, furthest extended end, which has the largest vibration amplitudes. The sensor 17 is connected to the awning control 14 via radio. The forces F acting on the awning lead to an accelerated movement and to vibrations of the awning, which are detected by the acceleration sensor 17. If the forces and therefore the accelerations exceed a critical threshold value, the awning control 14 can trigger a partial retraction of the awning 13. In this case, it can be tested step by step whether the area in the position reached by the awning is sufficiently small to withstand the prevailing wind conditions. If it is not, the awning is retracted further. However, if no critical wind strengths are detected for a longer period of time, the awning can be extended a little again for testing purposes in order to ensure the maximum possible degree of shading. The advantage of the procedure according to the invention is that the forces or accelerations relevant to damage to the awning are measured directly, which are caused by the wind conditions 16 actually prevailing at the edge of the awning.

The block diagrams shown in Figures 2 and 3 also apply accordingly to a sensor arrangement on an awning according to Figure 5.

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Claims (12)

1. Sensor arrangement for a movable shading device, in particular for a roller shutter ( 2 ), a blind or an awning ( 13 ), characterized in that the sensor arrangement contains at least one acceleration and/or inclination sensor ( 3 , 5 , 17 ) for detecting movements and/or the position of the shading device. 2. Sensor arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains an evaluation device ( 7 ) which generates at least one control signal as a function of at least one sensor output signal. 3. Movable shading device, in particular a roller shutter ( 2 ), a blind or an awning ( 13 ), characterized in that it has a sensor arrangement ( 3 , 5 , 17 ) according to claim 1 or 2. 4. Shading device according to claim 3, characterized in that it contains a drive for moving the shading device ( 2 , 13 ), which is connected to the sensor arrangement ( 3 , 5 , 17 ) unidirectionally or bidirectionally for data transmission. 5. Shading device according to claim 4, characterized in that it contains means ( 8 , 9 ) for wireless data transmission, preferably by radio, between the sensor arrangement ( 3 , 5 , 17 ) and the drive. 6. Shading device according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive is provided with a control which can trigger a change in the movement of the shading device ( 2 , 13 ) upon detection of predetermined sensor signal patterns. 7. Shading device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it contains an alarm device which is connected to the sensor arrangement ( 3 , 5 , 17 ) unidirectionally or bidirectionally for data transmission. 8. Control arrangement for controlling the movement of a shading device, in particular a roller shutter ( 2 ), a blind or an awning ( 13 ), characterized in that the control arrangement has means for measuring static and/or dynamic accelerations occurring at the shading device and means for changing the state of movement of the shading device when certain acceleration patterns are present, taking into account the state of the shading device. 9. Control arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises means for triggering a complete or partial retraction of the shading device ( 13 ) when threshold values of the dynamic acceleration are exceeded. 10. Control arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises means for triggering a complete or partial extension of the shading device ( 13 ) when the dynamic accelerations remain below a certain threshold value for a predetermined period of time. 11. Control arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it comprises means for switching off or switching over a drive of the shading device ( 2 , 13 ) when a predetermined angle of inclination (α) is exceeded and/or when a standstill in movement is detected during the activity of the drive of the shading device ( 2 , 13 ). 12. Control arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it comprises means for triggering an alarm and/or activating the drive when a predetermined angle of inclination (α) is exceeded and/or when a dynamic acceleration is detected during the inactive state of the drive of the shading device ( 2 ).