TWI632286B - Cordless window shade and spring drive system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A spring drive system suitable for a window covering, comprising: a casing; a drum pivotally connected to the casing, the drum having first and second circumferential zones, the first and second circumferential zones surrounding the An inner cavity of the drum, the first circumferential zone being fixed to one end of the first suspension rope, the second circumferential zone being fixed to one end of the second suspension rope; a spring shaft, and the casing Connected coaxially with respect to the drum, the spring shaft extends into the inner cavity of the drum; and a spring disposed in the inner cavity of the drum, the spring having a first end and a second end The first end is fixed to the spring shaft, and the second end is fixed to the drum, wherein the spring can cause the drum to rotate, so that the first and second suspension ropes are respectively wound on the first The second week is on the district.

Description

Cordless curtain and its spring drive system

The present invention relates to a cordless window covering and a spring drive system for use in a window covering.

There are many types of curtains on the market, such as venetian blinds, Roman blinds and honeycomb blinds. The window can be shaded when the curtain is lowered to reduce the light entering the house and improve privacy. In general, the curtains are provided with a steering cord, wherein the steering cord drives the bottom rail of the curtain to rise or fall. In particular, the bottom rail can be raised by a roller retracting suspension, and the suspension can be extended from the drum so that the bottom rail is lowered.

However, since the problem that the control rope may catch the child has been noticed, a cordless curtain has been developed. This cordless curtain can drive the bottom rail up and down through an electric motor or spring box. Spring boxes used in curtains are typically composed of a plurality of springs that provide torque to maintain the bottom rail at a desired height. However, the assembly of such a spring case is often complicated and the torque of the spring must be transmitted to the drum via a plurality of moving members, which disadvantageously increases the weight of the spring case in the window covering.

Accordingly, there is a need for a window covering that has an improved drive system that overcomes the above disadvantages.

The present invention provides a cordless curtain and a spring drive system suitable for use in a window covering. According to an embodiment, the spring drive system includes: a housing; a roller pivotally coupled to the housing, the roller having first and second circumferential zones, the first and second circumferential zones surrounding the An inner cavity of the drum, the first circumferential zone being fixed to one end of the first suspension rope, the second circumferential zone being fixed to one end of the second suspension rope; a spring shaft, and the casing Connected coaxially with respect to the drum, the spring shaft extends into the inner cavity of the drum; and a spring disposed on the roller In the inner cavity of the cylinder, the spring has a first end and a second end, the first end is fixed to the spring shaft, and the second end is fixed to the drum, wherein the spring can cause the drum to rotate So that the first and second suspension ropes are respectively wound up on the first and second circumferential zones.

In addition, the present invention also provides a cordless curtain comprising: a top rail; a shielding structure suspended by the top rail; a bottom connected to the bottom end of the shielding structure; and the spring driving system, the spring driving system The housing is fixed to the top rail, and the first and second suspension cables are respectively fixed to the bottom portion, and the spring can resist the gravity of the bottom portion so that the bottom portion can maintain a stationary state.

100‧‧‧ curtains

102‧‧‧ top rail

104‧‧‧Shielding structure

106‧‧‧ bottom

110‧‧‧Spring drive system

112‧‧‧ side cover

114‧‧‧hard tablets

116‧‧‧ side cover

118‧‧‧handle

120‧‧‧shell

122‧‧‧Roller

124‧‧‧Spring shaft

126‧‧ ‧ spring

126A, 126B‧‧‧

128, 130‧‧‧ hanging rope

128A, 128B, 130A, 130B‧‧‧

132‧‧‧ 容 cavity

134, 136‧‧‧ guide shaft

138‧‧‧ lumen

140‧‧‧Base

142‧‧‧ side wall

144‧‧‧ openings

146, 148‧‧‧ week zone

150‧‧‧Circular ridge

152‧‧‧Limited film

154‧‧‧ cover

L1, L2‧‧‧ parts

P‧‧‧ pivot axis

R1, R2‧‧‧ direction

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cordless curtain provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the curtain of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the curtain of Fig. 1 in a fully deployed or lowered state.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view showing the curtain of Fig. 1 in a fully deployed or lowered state.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing the structure of the curtain of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the structure of the spring drive system used in the window covering.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the spring drive system.

Figure 8 is a schematic view showing the state of the spring drive system corresponding to the state in which the curtain is in the fully raised or opened state of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a schematic view showing the state of the spring drive system corresponding to when the curtain is lowered.

1 is a perspective view of a cordless curtain 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of the inside of the top rail 102 of the curtain 100, and FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show the curtain 100 being fully deployed or lowered. A perspective view and a front view of the state, and FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the structure of the window covering 100. "Cordless curtains" are curtains that do not require an exposed handle rope. Referring to Figures 1-5, the window covering 100 includes a top rail 102, a shielding structure 104, a bottom portion 106 disposed at the bottom end of the shielding structure 104, and a spring drive system 110. In order to more clearly show the top rail 102 The spring drive system 110, a portion of the top rail 102 is not shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

The top rail 102 can be of any kind and shape. The top rail 102 can be fixed to the top end of the window, and the shielding structure 104 and the bottom portion 106 are suspended from the top rail 102. In addition, the inner cavity of the top rail 102 can be provided with a spring drive system 110, and the two opposite side ends of the top rail 102 are respectively fixed to the two side covers 112 to laterally close the inner cavity of the top rail 102.

The shield structure 104 is suspended by the top rail 102 and can be of any suitable construction. For example, the screening structure 104 can be a honeycomb structure of woven or soft material. The upper and lower ends of the honeycomb structure can be respectively connected to the hard piece 114 to facilitate the fixing of the shielding structure 104 to the top rail 102 and the bottom 106, respectively.

The bottom portion 106 is disposed at the bottom end of the window covering 100 and is vertically movable relative to the top rail 102 for unfolding and collapsing the shielding structure 104. The bottom 106 is, for example, a long shaped track, however, any type of load can be suitable as the bottom 106. In other embodiments, the bottom portion 106 can also be the lowest portion of the shelter structure 104. The bottom portion 106 can have a receiving groove therein, and the bottom end of the shielding structure 104 can be fixed to the receiving groove of the bottom portion 106. The two opposite side ends of the bottom portion 106 are respectively fixed to the two side covers 116 to laterally close the receiving grooves of the bottom portion 106. In addition, the bottom portion 106 can also be fixed to a handle 118 so that the user can conveniently move the handle 118 up and down to move the bottom portion 106.

The spring drive system 110 can be fixed to the top rail 102 and to the bottom 106. With reference to FIG. 5, FIGS. 6-7 are respectively an exploded view and a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the spring drive system 110. Referring to Figures 5-7, the spring drive system 110 can include a housing 120, a roller 122, a spring shaft 124, a spring 126, and two suspension cords 128, 130. The function of the spring drive system 110 maintains the shield structure 104 and the bottom 106 at any height, and when the bottom 106 moves up, the drum 122 can be caused to rotate and retract the suspension cords 128, 130.

The housing 120 is provided with an accommodating cavity 132, and the roller 122 and the spring shaft 124 are respectively assembled in the accommodating cavity 132 of the housing 120. In addition, the outer portion of the housing 120 in the housing 120 can be assembled with the guide shafts 134, 136. More specifically, the accommodating cavity 132 has two opposite first and second sides, and the two guiding shafts 134 are adjacent to each other and disposed on the first side of the accommodating cavity 132, and the two guiding shafts 136 are mutually Adjacent and disposed on the second side of the accommodating cavity 132. When the spring drive system 110 is assembled to the window covering 100, the housing 120 can be fixed in the top rail 102.

The drum 122 is disposed in the accommodating cavity 132 of the housing 120 and has a pivot axis P and The housing 120 is pivotally connected. The drum 122 can be provided with an internal cavity 138, and the inner cavity 138 is at least partially defined by the base 140, and a side wall 142 that protrudes from the base 140. The base 140 is generally perpendicular to the pivot axis P of the drum 122 and has an opening 144, and the pivot axis P extends through the opening 144 of the base 140. The sidewall 142 is generally perpendicular to the substrate 140 and has a shape of approximately a cylinder. Additionally, the drum 122 has two circumferential zones 146, 148 that surround the inner cavity 138 and are separated by an annular ridge 150, respectively. According to an embodiment, the drum 122 including the base 140, the side walls 142, the circumferential zones 146, 148, and the annular ridge 150 may be integrally formed.

One end 128A of the suspension cord 128 (shown in FIG. 6) is fixed to the circumferential zone 146 of the drum 122, and the other end 128B of the suspension cord 128 (shown in FIG. 5) is fixed to the bottom 106. And the suspension cord 128 can be guided through one of the two guide shafts 134 on one side of the drum 122. One end 130A of the suspension cord 130 (as shown in FIG. 6) is fixed to the circumferential zone 148 of the drum 122, and the other end 130B of the suspension cord 130 (shown in FIG. 5) is fixed to the bottom 106. And the suspension tether 130 can be guided through the two guide shafts 136 on the other opposite side of the drum 122. The two sets of guiding shafts 134, 136 are symmetrical with respect to the pivot axis P of the drum 122, so that the portion L1 of the suspension cord 128 extending between the drum 122 and the two guiding shafts 134 is substantially parallel to the drum in the suspension rope 130. 122 is a portion L2 extending between the two guide shafts 136 (as shown in Fig. 8).

The spring shaft 124 is disposed in the accommodating cavity 132 and is fixed to the housing 120 , wherein the spring shaft 124 is coaxially disposed with respect to the drum 122 . In other words, the spring shaft 124 extends along the pivot axis P of the drum 122. The spring shaft 124 can extend into the interior 138 of the drum 122 through the opening 144 of the base 140.

The spring 126 can be a wound flat spring and disposed within the inner cavity 138 of the drum 122. One end 126A of the spring 126 is fixed to the spring shaft 124, and the other end 126B of the spring 126 is fixed to the drum 122 (for example, to the side wall 142 of the drum 122), so that the spring 126 surrounds the spring shaft 124. The spring 126 can cause the drum 122 to rotate to reelate the suspension cords 128, 130 onto the circumferential zones 146, 148 of the drum 122, respectively. Additionally, a stop tab 152 can be disposed adjacent the spring 126 to position the spring 126 in the interior cavity 138 of the drum 122. After the roller 122 and the spring 126 are installed in the accommodating cavity 132, the housing 120 can be fixed to the cover 154, so that the cover 154 covers the accommodating cavity 132 of the housing 120 and the inner cavity 138 of the roller 122.

After the spring drive system 110 is assembled with the window covering 100, the pivot axis of the drum 122 P extends generally in a vertical direction, and the suspension cords 128, 130 extend through the holes of the shielding structure 104, respectively, to connect to the bottom 106.

With reference to Figures 1-7, the operation of the spring drive system 110 will be further described below with reference to Figures 8-9. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the state corresponding to the spring drive system 110 when the window covering 100 is in the fully raised or opened state of FIG. 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 6-8, when the window covering 100 is fully raised or opened, the suspension cords 128, 130 are mostly retracted onto the circumferential regions 146, 148 of the drum 122. Moreover, the coils of the spring 126 are adjacent to each other and are located adjacent the side wall 142 of the drum 122. The force applied by the spring 126 to the drum 122 resists the weight of the bottom 106, allowing the drum 122 to remain stationary. Thus, the bottom portion 106 can remain adjacent the top rail 102 such that the shield structure 104 overlaps between the top rail 102 and the bottom portion 106.

Referring to Figures 3, 6, 7, and 9, when the bottom portion 106 moves down from the top rail 102 and deploys the shield structure 104, the suspension cords 128, 130 extend from the circumferential regions 146, 148 of the drum 122, respectively, thereby driving the drum 122. The direction R1 is rotated relative to the spring shaft 124 and the housing 120. Thus, the end 126B of the spring 126 that is fixed to the drum 122 is urged to displace in the same direction R1, causing the coil of the spring 126 to move away from the side wall 142 and toward the spring shaft 124.

When the user releases the bottom 106 at the desired position, the force applied by the spring 126 to the drum 122 resists the weight of the bottom 106, allowing the drum 122 to remain stationary. Thus, the bottom 106 can remain stationary at the desired location of the user.

To raise the bottom 106, the user can push the bottom 106 up by hand to overlap at least a portion of the screening structure 104. As the bottom 106 moves up toward the top rail 102, the spring 126 causes the drum 122 to rotate about the pivot axis P in the other direction R2 opposite the direction R1, causing the suspension cords 128, 130 to be retracted in the circumferential region 146 of the drum 122, respectively. 148.

The spring drive system of the present invention has the advantage of being cost-effective and applicable to various curtains, including but not limited to curtains having a honeycomb structure (as shown), venetian blinds, or having a plurality of vertical distributions and phases. Parallel curtains. In addition, the spring drive system requires fewer components and can be downsized to help reduce the overall weight of the window covering.

The above description is based on a number of different embodiments of the invention, wherein the features may be implemented in a single or different combination. Therefore, the disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative of the embodiments of the invention. Further, the previous The drawings and the drawings are merely exemplary of the invention and are not limited thereto. Variations or combinations of other elements are possible and are not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

A spring drive system suitable for a window covering, comprising: a casing; a drum pivotally connected to the casing, the drum having first and second circumferential zones, the first and second circumferential zones surrounding the An inner cavity of the drum, the first circumferential zone being fixed to one end of the first suspension rope, the second circumferential zone being fixed to one end of the second suspension rope; a spring shaft opposite to the roller Coaxially disposed, the spring shaft is fixed in the housing and extends into the inner cavity of the drum; and a spring is disposed in the inner cavity of the drum, the spring having a first end and a second end, The first end is fixed to the spring shaft, and the second end is fixed to the drum, wherein the spring can cause the drum to rotate, so that the first and second suspension ropes are respectively wound on the first The second week is on the district. The spring drive system of claim 1, wherein the first and second suspension cables extend on opposite sides of the roller, respectively. A spring drive system according to claim 1, wherein the drum has a base that is fixed to the housing and extends into the interior of the drum through an opening formed in the base. The spring drive system of claim 3, wherein the roller further has a side wall that projects substantially perpendicularly from the base and the second end of the spring is secured to the side wall. The spring drive system of claim 1 wherein the first and second circumferential zones are separated by an annular ridge. The spring drive system of claim 5, wherein the drum including the first and second circumferential zones and the annular ridge are integrally formed. The spring drive system of claim 1, wherein the drum is disposed in a receiving cavity of the housing, and the housing is further disposed on the outside of the receiving cavity with two first guiding shafts and two a second guiding shaft is coupled, the first suspension rope is guided to extend through the two first guiding shafts, the second suspension The cord is guided through the two second guiding shafts. The spring drive system of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the first suspension rope extending between the roller and the two first guide shafts is substantially parallel to the second suspension rope. a second portion of the drum extending between the two guide shafts. The spring drive system of claim 1, wherein the spring is a wound flat spring. A cordless curtain comprising: a top rail; a shielding structure suspended by the top rail; a bottom connected to the bottom end of the shielding structure; and a spring driving system according to claim 1, the spring driving system The housing is fixed to the top rail, and the first and second suspension cables are respectively fixed to the bottom portion, and the spring can resist the gravity of the bottom portion so that the bottom portion can maintain a stationary state. The window covering of claim 10, wherein the spring urges the drum when the bottom is raised toward the top rail to urge the drum to rotate and retract the first and second slings. The window covering of claim 10, wherein the drum is rotatable relative to the housing about a pivot axis that extends generally perpendicularly.