Patent Application
20220381085
A window treatment may be mounted in front of one or more windows, for example to prevent sunlight from entering a space and/or to provide privacy. Window treatments may include, for example, roller shades, roman shades, venetian blinds, or draperies. A roller shade typically includes a flexible shade fabric wound onto an elongated roller tube. Such a roller shade may include a weighted hembar located at a lower end of the shade fabric. The hembar may cause the shade fabric to hang in front of one or more windows over which the roller shade is mounted.
A typical window treatment can be mounted to structure surrounding a window, such as a window frame. Such a window treatment may include brackets at opposed ends thereof. The brackets may be configured to operably support the roller tube, such that the flexible material may be raised and lowered. For example, the brackets may be configured to support respective ends of the roller tube. The brackets may be attached to structure, such as a wall, ceiling, window frame, or other structure.
Such a window treatment may be motorized. A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a motor, brackets, and electrical wiring. The components of the motorized window treatment, such as the brackets, the roller tube, electrical wiring, etc. may be concealed by a fascia or installed in a pocket out of view.
As described herein, a motorized window treatment may comprise an antenna that allows for wireless communication. The motorized window treatment may comprise a roller tube, a motor drive unit, and at least one mounting bracket. The roller tube may be configured to windingly receive a flexible material and to be rotated to raise and lower the flexible material. The motor drive unit may be received within a cavity of the roller tube. The motor drive unit may comprise a motor configured to rotate the roller tube and a bearing assembly coupled to the roller tube, such that the roller tube is configured to rotate around the motor drive unit. The mounting bracket may be configured to support the bearing assembly of the motor drive unit to allow the roller tube to rotate with respect to the mounting bracket. The bearing assembly may be located between the roller tube and the mounting bracket, so as to form a gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket. The antenna may comprise an electrical conductor wrapped around the motor drive unit adjacent to the gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket. For example, the antenna may be configured to be spirally wound around the motor drive unit proximate to the gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket.
A motorized window treatment may comprise a roller tube, a motor drive unit, and at least one mounting bracket. The roller tube may be configured to windingly receive a flexible material. The roller tube may be configured to be rotated to raise and lower the flexible material. The motor drive unit may be received within a cavity of the roller tube. The motor drive unit may comprise a motor, a housing, and an antenna. The motor may be configured to rotate the roller tube. The housing may be configured to house the motor. The housing may comprise at least one channel formed in a surface of the housing. The antenna may comprise an electrical conductor. The at least one mounting bracket may be configured to support the roller tube such that the roller tube can rotate with respect to the at least one mounting bracket. The motorized window treatment may define a gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket. The electrical conductor of the antenna may be wrapped around the housing of the motor drive unit adjacent to the gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket. The electrical conductor of the antenna may be configured to be received within the at least one channel when wrapped around the housing.
The motor drive unit may comprise a wireless communication circuit that is electrically coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The at least one channel may comprise at least two peripheral channels that extend parallel to each other around the circumference of the housing in an outer surface of the housing. The at least two peripheral channels may be joined together at a recess and the electrical conductor of the antenna may be configured to pass from one peripheral channel to another via the recess. Alternatively, the at least one channel may comprise a single spiral-shaped channel. The spiral-shaped channel may be configured such that the antenna moves away from the roller tube in the longitudinal direction as the antenna wraps around the housing.
The motor drive unit may comprise a motor drive printed circuit board on which drive circuitry for controlling the motor is mounted. The motor drive unit may comprise a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries for powering the drive circuitry on the motor drive printed circuit board and the wireless communication circuit. The housing may comprise a cap for covering an end of the battery compartment. The battery compartment may be located between the cap and the motor drive printed circuit board. The electrical conductor of the antenna may be wrapped around the cap. The electrical conductor of the antenna may be located within the at least one channel that extends around the cap. The wireless communication circuit may be located inside the cap.
The motorized window treatment may comprise a matching network circuit that is coupled to the motor drive printed circuit board. The matching network circuit may be located inside the cap. The wireless communication circuit may be coupled to the motor drive printed circuit board via a ribbon cable. The motor drive unit may comprise a coupling printed circuit board located near the gap between the roller tube and the mounting bracket. The coupling printed circuit board may comprise a matching network circuit mounted thereto. The antenna may be electrically coupled to the mounting network circuit on the coupling printed circuit board. The wireless communication circuit may be mounted to the motor drive printed circuit board and electrically connected to the matching network circuit on the coupling printed circuit board by a coaxial cable.
The motorized window treatment may comprise a flexible printed circuit board. The antenna may be formed on the flexible printed circuit board. The motorized window treatment may comprise a bearing assembly coupled to the roller tube, such that the roller tube is configured to rotate around the motor drive unit. The bearing assembly may be located between the roller tube and the mounting bracket. The bearing assembly may be made of a non-conductive material. The antenna may be wrapped around the housing within an area that surrounds the circumference of the motor drive unit and falls within an area defined by the bearing assembly. At least a portion of the antenna may be aligned with the gap between the roller tube and the at least one mounting bracket. The gap between the roller tube and the at least one mounting bracket may define an area comprising non-conductive components. The roller tube may be made of a conductive material. The antenna may be configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the roller tube. The roller tube and the mounting bracket may both be made of conductive materials. The housing may comprise a body and a cap that is configured to attach to the body. The at least one channel may be defined in the body such that the antenna is wrapped around the body.
The roller tube 111 may operate as a rotational element of the motorized window treatment 100. The roller tube 111 may be elongate along a longitudinal direction L and rotatably mounted (e.g., rotatably supported) by the mounting brackets 130. The roller tube 111 may define a longitudinal axis 116. The longitudinal axis 116 may extend along the longitudinal direction L. The mounting bracket 130A may extend from the structure in a radial direction R, as shown in
The roller tube 111 may be made of aluminum. The roller tube 111 may be a low-deflection roller tube and may be made of a material that has high strength and low density, such as carbon fiber. The roller tube 111 may have, for example, a diameter of approximately two inches. For example, the roller tube 111 may exhibit a deflection of less than ¼ of an inch when the flexible material 120 has a length of 12 feet and a width of 12 feet (e.g., and the roller tube 111 has a corresponding width of 12 feet and the diameter is two inches). Examples of low-deflection roller tubes are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0326801, published Nov. 10, 2016, entitled LOW-DEFLECTION ROLLER SHADE TUBE FOR LARGE OPENINGS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The flexible material 120 may include a first end (e.g., a top or upper end) that is coupled to the roller tube 111 and a second end (e.g., a bottom or lower end) that is coupled to a hembar 140. The hembar 140 may be configured, for example weighted, to cause the flexible material 120 to hang vertically. Rotation of the roller tube 111 may cause the hembar 140 to move toward or away from the roller tube 111 between the raised and lowered positions.
The flexible material 120 may be any suitable material, or form any combination of materials. For example, the flexible material 120 may be “scrim,” woven cloth, non-woven material, light-control film, screen, and/or mesh. The motorized window treatment 100 may be any type of window treatment. For example, the motorized window treatment 100 may be a roller shade as illustrated, a soft sheer shade, a drapery, a cellular shade, a Roman shade, or a Venetian blind. As shown, the flexible material 120 may be a material suitable for use as a shade fabric, and may be alternatively referred to as a flexible material. The flexible material 120 is not limited to shade fabric. For example, in accordance with an alternative implementation of the motorized window treatment 100 as a retractable projection screen, the flexible material 120 may be a material suitable for displaying images projected onto the flexible material 120.
The motorized window treatment 100 may include a motor drive unit (e.g., a drive assembly) that may at least partially be disposed within the roller tube 111. For example, the motor drive unit may include a housing that is received within the roller tube 111. The motor drive unit may comprise a motor for rotating the roller tube 111 and a control circuit (e.g., that may include a microprocessor) for controlling the motor. The motor drive unit may be powered by a power source (e.g., an alternating-current or direct-current power source) provided by electrical wiring and/or batteries. The motor drive unit may be operably coupled to the roller tube 111 such that when the motor is controlled, the roller tube 111 rotates. The motor drive unit may be configured to rotate the roller tube 111 of the example motorized window treatment 100 such that the flexible material 120 is operable between the fully-raised position and the fully-lowered position. The motor drive unit may be configured to rotate the roller tube 111 while reducing noise generated by the motor drive unit (e.g., noise generated by one or more gear stages of the drive assembly). Examples of motor drive units for motorized window treatments are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,267, issued Dec. 24, 2002, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOW SHADE WITH ULTRAQUIET MOTOR DRIVE AND ESD PROTECTION, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,598,901, issued Mar. 21, 2017, entitled QUIET MOTORIZED WINDOW TREATMENT SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The motorized window treatment 100 may be configured to enable access to one or more ends of the window treatment assembly 110 while remaining secured to the mounting brackets 130A, 130B. For example, the motorized window treatment 100 may be adjusted (e.g., pivoted or slid) between an operating position (e.g., as shown in
When in the extended position, the one or more ends of the window treatment assembly 110 may be accessed, for example, to replace batteries, adjust one or more settings, make an electrical connection, repair one or more components, and/or the like. One or more of the mounting brackets 130A, 130B may enable an end of the window treatment assembly 110 to be accessed when the motorized window treatment is in the extended position. For example, the first mounting bracket 130A may define a base 132 and an arm 134. The base 132 and the arm 134 may define a stationary portion of the mounting bracket 130. The mounting bracket 130A, 130B may define a translating portion 136. The translating portion 136 may include an attachment member 138 that is configured to receive the first end 112 of the window treatment assembly 110. The attachment member 138 may define an aperture. The base 132 may be configured to attach the mounting bracket 130A to a structure. When the mounting bracket 130A is attached to a vertical structure, such as a wall, the arm 134 of the mounting bracket 130A may extend horizontally (e.g., in the radial direction R) from the base 132.
One end of the window treatment assembly 110 may slide out when the motorized window treatment 100 is in the extended position. For example, one of the mounting brackets (e.g., the mounting bracket 130A) may be configured to slide out and the other one of the mounting brackets (e.g., the mounting bracket 130B) may remain stationary when the motorized window treatment 100 (e.g., the window treatment assembly 110) is in the extended position, for example, as shown in
When the motorized window treatment 100 is in the extended position, a motor drive unit housing end 150 may be exposed (e.g., accessible). The motor drive unit housing end 150 may be located proximate to the first end 112 of the window treatment assembly 110. The motor drive unit housing end 150 may cover a cavity of the roller tube 111. The motor drive unit housing end 150 may be configured to be removably secured to the roller tube 111 (e.g., at the first end 112 of the window treatment assembly 110). For example, the motor drive unit housing end 150 may be configured to be secured within the cavity. The motor drive unit housing end 150 may be configured to retain one or more components (e.g., such as the batteries 260 shown in
The motor drive unit housing end 150 may include a control button 152. The control button 152 may be backlit. For example, the control button 152 may include a light pipe (e.g., may be translucent or transparent) that is illuminated by a light emitting diode (LED) within the motor drive unit housing. The control button 152 may be configured to enable a user to change one or more settings of the motorized window treatment 100. For example, the control button 152 may be configured to change one or more wireless communication settings and/or one or more drive settings. The control button 152 may be configured to enable a user to pair the motorized window treatment 100 with a remote control device to allow for wireless communication between the remote control device and a wireless communication circuit (e.g., an RF transceiver) of the motor drive unit 190. The control button 152 may be configured to provide a status indication to a user. For example, the control button 152 may be configured to flash and/or change colors to provide the status indication to the user. The status indication may indicate when the motorized window treatment 100 is in a programming mode.
The motor drive unit housing end 150 may include a disable actuator 154 for detecting when the roller tube 111 is not in the operating position. The motor drive unit (e.g., the drive assembly) may be deactivated (e.g., automatically deactivated) when the roller tube 111 is not in the operating position. For example, the disable actuator 154 may be configured to disable the motor drive unit such that the covering material cannot be raised or lowered when the roller tube 111 is not in the operating position. The disable actuator 154 may disable a motor of the motor drive unit, for example, when the roller tube 111 is pivoted (e.g., or slid) from the operating position to the extended position. The disable actuator 154 may enable the motor when the roller tube 111 reaches the operating position. For example, the disable actuator 154 may be a button, a switch, and/or the like.
In addition, the motor drive unit housing end 150 may also comprise a position detect circuit (not shown) for detecting when the roller tube 111 is not in the operating position and deactivating (e.g., automatically deactivating) the drive assembly (e.g., rather than including the disable actuator 154). For example, the position detect circuit may comprise a magnetic sensing circuit (e.g., a Hall-effect sensor circuit) configured to detect when the motor drive unit housing end 150 is in the extended position and not in close proximity to a magnet located inside of the mounting bracket 130A. The position detect circuit may be configured to disable the drive assembly such that the covering material cannot be raised or lowered when the roller tube 111 is not in the operating position. The position detect circuit may disable a motor of the drive assembly, for example, when the roller tube 111 is pivoted (e.g., or slid) from the operating position to the extended position. The position detect circuit may enable the motor when the roller tube 111 reaches the operating position. For example, the position detect circuit may also comprise an IR sensor, a switch, and/or the like.
The motor drive unit may comprise a housing 292 in which the batteries 260 may be housed. The housing 292 of the motor drive unit 290 may comprise a cap 250 that is configured to retain the batteries 260 within the housing 292 of the motor drive unit 290 (e.g., within the roller tube 210). The cap 250 may define an outer surface 252 with a button 254 (e.g., such as button 152. The button 254 may be backlit. For example, the button 254 may include a light pipe that is illuminated by an LED within the cap 250. The button 254 may be configured to enable a user to change one or more settings of the battery-powered motorized window treatment 200 as similarly described with button 152. The button 254 may be configured to enable a user to pair the battery-powered motorized window treatment 200 with a remote control device to allow for wireless communication between the remote control device and a wireless communication circuit of the motor drive unit 290. The button 254 may be configured to provide a status indication to a user. For example, the button 254 may be configured to flash and/or change colors to provide the status indication to the user. The button 254 may indicate when the battery-powered motorized window treatment 200 is in a programming mode, for example, via the status indication.
The motor drive unit 290 may be at least partially received within the roller tube 210. For example, the housing 292 of the motor drive unit 290 may define a battery compartment 211 (e.g., a cavity) that is configured to receive the batteries 260 of the motor drive unit 290. The battery compartment 211 may be accessible when the battery-powered motorized window treatment 200 is in the extended position (e.g., pivoted) and the cap 250 is removed.
The motor drive unit 290 of the battery-powered motorized window treatment 200 may include a battery holder 270. The battery holder 270 may be configured to keep the batteries 260 fixed in place securely while the batteries 260 are providing power to the motor drive unit 290. The batteries 260 and the battery holder 270 may be configured to be removed from the battery compartment 211 of the housing 292 along the longitudinal axis 216 of the roller tube 210. For example, the cap 250 may be removed (e.g., disengaged from the roller tube 210 and/or the housing 292 of the motor drive unit 290) such that the batteries 260 and battery holder 270 can be accessed. The battery holder 270 may be configured to be translated (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 216 of the roller tube 210) until it is removed from the housing 292. The batteries 260 may remain within the battery holder 270 of the motor drive unit 290 when the battery holder 270 is removed from the battery compartment 211. The batteries 260 may be removed from the battery holder 270 when it is removed from the battery compartment 211 of the housing 292. Replacement batteries may be installed within the battery holder 270 while it is removed from the battery compartment 211 of the housing 292. The battery holder 270 may be open at opposed ends, for example, such that the batteries 260 can be electrically connected to a printed circuit board of the motor drive unit 290. For example, one of the batteries 260 (e.g., the battery distal from the end 213 of the roller tube 210 when the battery holder 270 is installed within the battery compartment 211 of the housing 292) may be configured to abut a spring (e.g., such as spring 384 shown in
The motorized window treatment 300 may be adjusted between an operating position (e.g., as shown in
The first mounting bracket 330 and the second mounting bracket may be configured to attach the motorized window treatment 300 to a structure. The first mounting bracket 330 may define a base (e.g., such as the base 132) and an arm 334. The base and the arm 334 may define a stationary portion of the first mounting bracket 330. The first mounting bracket 330 may define a translating portion 336. The translating portion 336 may include an attachment member 338 that is configured to receive an end of the window treatment assembly 310. For example, the attachment member 338 of the mounting bracket 330 may be configured to receive the motor drive unit 390. The attachment member 338 may define an aperture. The base may be configured to attach the first mounting bracket 330 to a structure. The structure may include a window frame (e.g., a head jamb or side jambs of a window frame), a wall, a ceiling, or other structure, such that the motorized window treatment 300 is mounted proximate to an opening (e.g., over the opening or in the opening), such as a window for example. When the first mounting bracket 330 is attached to a vertical structure, such as a wall, the arm 334 of the mounting bracket 330 may extend horizontally from the base.
The translating portion 336 may be configured to translate the window treatment assembly 310 between the operating position (e.g., as shown in
The arm 334 may define one or more features that enable the translating portion 336 to be translated between the operating position and the extended position while remaining attached thereto. The translating portion 336 may define one or more corresponding features that are configured to cooperate with the one or more features on the arm 334. The arm 334 may define one or more slides 335 (e.g., an upper slide and a lower slide). The slides 335 may protrude from an inner surface of the arm 334. The translating portion 336 may define one or more channels (e.g., an upper channel and a lower channel) that are configured to receive the slides 335. The translating portion 336 may define a middle slide 339, for example, between the channels. The arm 334 may define a channel (e.g., a middle channel) that is configured to receive the middle slide 339. The slides 335, 339 and the channels may define angled edges (e.g., tapered edges) such that the attachment of the translating position 336 to the arm 334 defines an interlocking slide, e.g., such as a dovetail slide. The translating portion 336 may translate along the slides 335 between the operating position and the extended position.
The motorized window treatment 300 (e.g., the motor drive unit 390) may include a bearing assembly 320 having an inner bearing 322 and an outer bearing 324 that are located external to the roller tube 311. The inner bearing 322 and the outer bearing 324 may be non-metallic (e.g., plastic) sleeve bearings. The bearing assembly 320 may be captured between the roller tube 311 and the mounting bracket 330, such that the bearing assembly 320 may be located in a gap 328 (e.g., longitudinal gap) between the roller tube 311 and the mounting bracket 330. The components of the motorized window treatment 300 in and/or adjacent to the gap 328 may be non-conductive such that radio-frequency field disruption and/or shielding is minimized. For example, the motorized window treatment 300 may not include conductive (e.g., metal) components in an area radially surrounding the gap 328. The inner bearing 322 may engage the housing 380 of the motor drive unit 390. The inner bearing 322 may be operatively coupled to the motor drive unit housing 380.
The motor drive unit 390 may include a battery holder 370 (e.g., the battery holder 270). The battery holder 370 and the cap 350 may keep the batteries 360 fixed in place securely while the batteries 360 are providing power to the motor drive unit 390 and/or the cap 350. The battery holder 370 may be configured to clamp the batteries 360 together (e.g., as shown in
The cap 350 may be configured to cover an end of the motor drive unit cavity 389. For example, the cap 350 may be received (e.g., at least partially) within the motor drive unit cavity 389. The cap 350 may include a button 352, a control interface printed circuit board 354, and an electrical contact 356 (e.g., a conductive pad) electrically coupled to the control interface printed circuit board 354. The electrical contact 356 may be a positive electrical contact, for example, as shown in
The motor drive unit 390 may include a motor drive printed circuit board 392, an intermediate storage device 394, and a gear assembly 398. The intermediate storage device 394 may include one or more capacitors (e.g., super capacitors) and/or one or more rechargeable batteries. The batteries 360 may be located between the cap 350 and the motor drive printed circuit board 392 of the motor drive unit 390. The motor drive unit 390 may also comprise a motor drive circuit (e.g., such as the motor drive circuit 820 shown in
The motor drive unit 390 may include a spring 384, which may extend from an internal wall of the motor drive unit cavity 389. The spring 384 may be configured to abut and apply a force to one of the batteries 360, for example, such that the batteries 360 remain in contact with one another while installed within the motor drive unit cavity 389. The spring 384 may be electrically coupled to the motor drive printed circuit board 392 via a wire 385. The spring 384 may be a negative electrical contact, for example, as shown in
The button 352 may be configured to enable a user to change one or more settings of the motorized window treatment 300. For example, the button 352 may be configured to change one or more settings of the control interface printed circuit board 354 and/or the motor drive printed circuit board 392. The button 352 may be configured to enable a user to pair the motorized window treatment 300 with a remote control device to allow for wireless communication between the remote control device and the wireless communication circuit 399 mounted to the motor drive printed circuit board 392. The button 352 may be configured to provide a status indication to a user. For example, the control button 352 may be configured to flash and/or change colors to provide the status indication to the user. The button 352 may be configured to indicate (e.g., via the status indication) whether the motor drive unit 390 is in a programming mode.
The control interface printed circuit board 354 and the motor drive printed circuit board 392 may be electrically connected. For example, the motorized window treatment 300 may include a ribbon cable 386. The ribbon cable 386 may be attached to a connector 388 mounted to the control interface printed circuit board 354 and a similar connector mounted to the motor drive printed circuit board 392. The ribbon cable 386 may be configured to electrically connect the control interface printed circuit board 354 and the motor drive printed circuit board 392. The ribbon cable 386 may terminate at the control interface printed circuit board 354 and the motor printed circuit board 392. For example, the ribbon cable 386 may extend within the motor drive unit cavity 389. The ribbon cable 386 may include electrical conductors for providing power from the batteries 360 to the control interface printed circuit board 354 and/or the motor drive printed circuit board 392. The ribbon cable 386 may include electrical conductors for conducting control signals (e.g., for transmitting one or more messages) between the control interface printed circuit board 354 and the motor drive printed circuit board 392. For example, the ribbon cable 386 may be configured to conduct power and/or control signals between the control interface printed circuit board 354 and the motor drive printed circuit board 392.
The motor drive unit 390 may further comprise an antenna 400 (e.g., as shown in
As shown in
A distance (e.g., in the longitudinal direction L) between windings of the antenna 400 may be configured to prevent the antenna 400 from coupling to itself. For example, the distance between adjacent windings of the antenna 400 in the first peripheral channel 411 and the second peripheral channel 412 may be approximately 0.1 to 0.4 inches (e.g., such as 0.2 inches). The first peripheral channel 411 may be located closer to the roller tube 311 than the second peripheral channel 412. For example, the first peripheral channel 411 may be close to an outer edge of the roller tube 311 and partially underneath of the roller tube 311 (e.g., but not fully underneath of the roller tube 311) as shown in
As shown in
As the antenna 400 exits the intermediate channel 415 from coupling printed circuit board 430 and enters the recess 414, the electrical wire of the antenna 400 may follow a first path 418A to extend along the first peripheral channel 411. A corner 417 adjacent to the antenna 400 in the recess 414 may be rounded to facilitate bending of the electrical wire of the antenna 400. The antenna 400 may extend through the first peripheral channel 411 and fully wrap around the circumference of the housing 380 and enter the recess 414 again. After exiting the first peripheral channel 411 and entering the recess 414, the electrical wire of the antenna 400 may extend along a second path 418B (e.g., diagonally) across the recess 414 and enter the second peripheral channel 412. The antenna 400 may extend through the second peripheral channel 412 and wrap (e.g., partially or fully wrap) around the housing 380 and terminate in the second periphery channel 412. The electrical wire of the antenna 400 may be held in the first and second peripheral channels 411, 412 and the intermediate channel 415 by tabs 419.
When the wireless communication circuit 399 drives the antenna 400 with a signal, the antenna 400 may emit electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio-frequency signals). As previously mentioned, the antenna 400 may be wrapped around the motor drive unit 390 underneath of the bearing assembly 320 (e.g., which is made from a non-conductive material, such as plastic) and adjacent to the gap 328 between the roller tube 311 and the mounting bracket 330. When the antenna 400 is emitting electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves may be coupled to the roller tube 311 (e.g., which may be made of a conductive material, such as aluminum), which may result in current flow on the surface of the roller tube 311. As a result, the roller tube 311 may re-radiate the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna 400.
While the antenna 400 is shown in
As shown in
The matching network circuit 426 may be mounted to the coupling portion 420′ of the flexible printed circuit board 420′. For example, the coupling portion 420′ of the flexible printed circuit board 440′ may be located in the recess 422 in the inner surface 424 of the upper portion 382A of the housing 380. The antenna portion 421′ of the flexible printed circuit board 440′ may also define an intermediate portion 408′ that connects the first portion 402′ of the antenna portion 421′ to the coupling portion 420′. For example, the intermediate portion 408′ may extend through the intermediate channel 415 between the recess 422 and the first peripheral channel 411 when the antenna 400′ is wound about the housing 380 of the motorized window treatment 300′. The antenna portion 421′ may extend from the matching network circuit 426 on the coupling portion 420′ of the flexible printed circuit board 440′ in the recess 422 through the opening 415, the intermediate channel 415, and the first and second peripheral channels 411, 412. Since the flexible printed circuit board 420′ is flexible, the antenna portion 421′ may be configured to wrap around the housing 380 as the antenna portion 421′ extends through the first and second peripheral channels 411. When the antenna portion 421′ is wrapped around (e.g., wound about) the housing 380, the third portion 406′ and the intermediate portion 408′ may extend in the longitudinal direction L. The matching network circuit 426 may be electrically coupled to the motor drive printed circuit board 392 via the coaxial cable 430 that may be connected to the coaxial connector 428 and may extend through the coaxial cable channel 432. The antenna 400′ may be electrically coupled to the wireless communication circuit 399 on the motor drive printed circuit board 392 via the matching network circuit 426 on the coupling portion 420′ of the flexible printed circuit board 440′, such that the electrical trace on the antenna portion 421′ of the flexible printed circuit board 440′ may radiate the RF signals.
As shown in
A distance (e.g., in the longitudinal direction L) between windings of the antenna 400′ may be configured to prevent the antenna 400′ from coupling to itself. For example, the first portion 402′ of the antenna 400′ may be spaced apart by the distance from the second portion 404′ of the antenna 400′, when the antenna 400′ (e.g., the electrical trace of the antenna portion 421′ of the flexible printed circuit board 440′) is received within the first and second peripheral channels 411, 412. For example, the distance between adjacent windings of the antenna 400′ in the first peripheral channel 411 and the second peripheral channel 412 may be approximately 0.1 to 0.4 inches (e.g., such as 0.2 inches). The first peripheral channel 411 may be located closer to the roller tube 311 than the second peripheral channel 412. For example, the first peripheral channel 411 may be close to an outer edge of the roller tube 311 and partially underneath of the roller tube 311 (e.g., but not fully underneath of the roller tube 311) as shown in
The upper portion 382A′ of the housing 382′ may comprise a first channel portion 511A, a second channel portion 512A, a third channel portion 513A, and a fourth channel portion 514A formed in an outer surface 510A of the upper portion 382A′. The lower portion 382B′ of the housing 382′ may be identical to the upper portion 382A′ and may comprise a first channel portion 511B, a second channel portion 512B, a third channel portion 513B, and a fourth channel portion (not shown) formed in an outer surface 510B of the lower portion 382B′. The fourth channel portion of the lower portion 382B′ of the housing 382′ may be similar (e.g., identical) to the fourth channel portion 514A of the upper portion 382A′ and may be aligned with the third channel portion 513A of the upper portion 382A′. The spiral-shaped channel 511 in which the antenna 500 resides may include the first channel portion 511A of the upper portion 382A′, the second channel portion 512B of the lower portion 382B′, the third channel portion 513A of the upper portion 382A′, and the fourth channel portion of the lower portion 382B′.
The upper portion 382A′ of the housing 382′ may comprise a second spiral-shaped channel 512 which remains vacant when the antenna 500 is spirally wound about the motor drive unit 390′ may include the second channel portion 512A of the upper portion 382A′, the first channel portion 511B of the lower portion 382B′, and the third channel portion 513B of the lower portion 382B′, and the fourth channel portion 514A of the upper portion 382A′. The first and second portions 382A′, 382B′ of the housing 380′ may be identical, such that two separate types of unique housing parts are not required to form the housing 380′ of the motor drive unit 390′. Since only one type of housing portion is required to form the housing 380′, a manufacturer of the motor drive unit 390′ is able to stock less parts in inventory. Because the upper portion 382A′ and the lower portion 382B′ are identical, the housing 380′ may comprise a second spiral-shaped channel formed by the first channel portion 511B of the lower portion 382B′, the second channel portion 512A of the upper portion 382A′, the third channel portion 513B of the lower portion 382B′, and the fourth channel portion 514A of the upper portion 382A′.
Although the body 380′ of the housing 380′ of the motor drive unit 390′ is shown in the figures as having an upper portion 382A′ and a lower portion 382B′ that are identical, it should be appreciated that the body 381′ could alternatively be a single piece, two non-identical pieces, or more than two pieces. While the antenna 500 is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As the antenna 500 exits the intermediate channel 515 from coupling printed circuit board 530 and enters the spiral-shaped channel 511, the electrical wire of the antenna 500 may follow a first path 518A to extend along the first channel portion 511A in the upper portion 382A′. A corner 517 adjacent to the antenna 500 in the first channel portion 511A of the upper portion 382A′ may be rounded to facilitate bending of the electrical wire of the antenna 500. The antenna 500 may extend through the spiral-shaped channel 511 and fully wrap around the circumference of the housing 380′ one or more times. The antenna 500 may extend through the first channel portion 511A of the upper portion 382A′, the second channel portion 512B of the lower portion 382B′, the third channel portion 513A of the upper portion 382A′, and the fourth channel portion of the lower portion 382B′. For example, the antenna 500 may extend along a second path 518B from the second channel portion 512B of the lower portion 382B′ to the third channel portion 513A of the upper portion 382A′. Stated differently, the second path 518B of the antenna 500 may extend from the second channel portion 512B of the lower portion 382B′ to the third channel portion 513A of the upper portion 382A′. The antenna 500 may or may not extend for the full length of the spiral-shaped channel 511. For example, the antenna 500 may not extend into the fourth channel portion of the lower portion 382B′. The electrical wire of the antenna 500 may be held in the spiral-shaped channel 511 and the intermediate channel 515 by tabs 519. For example, the tabs 519 may be configured to retain the antenna 500 within the spiral-shaped channel 511.
When the wireless communication circuit 399 drives the antenna 500 with a signal, the antenna 500 may emit electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio-frequency signals). As previously mentioned, the antenna 500 may be wrapped around the motor drive unit 390′ underneath of the bearing assembly 320 (e.g., which is made from a non-conductive material, such as plastic) and adjacent to the gap 328 between the roller tube 311 and the mounting bracket 330. When the antenna 500 is emitting electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves may be coupled to the roller tube 311 (e.g., which may be made of a conductive material, such as aluminum), which may result in current flow on the surface of the roller tube 311. As a result, the roller tube 311 may re-radiate the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna 500. Because the antenna 500 extends through the spiral-shaped channel 511, the antenna 500 may more quickly move in distance away from the roller tube, which may allow more electromagnetic waves to couple to the roller tube 311 (e.g., as compared to extending through the first and second peripheral channels 411, 412).
In some examples, the antenna 500 may be formed on a flexible printed circuit board (not shown). The flexible printed circuit board may replace both the coupling printed circuit board 520 and the electrical wire of the antenna. The matching network circuit 526 may be mounted to the flexible printed circuit board, for example, to a coupling portion of the flexible printed circuit board that is located in the recess 522 in the inner surface 524 of the upper portion 382A′ of the housing 380′. The flexible printed circuit board may comprise an antenna portion (e.g., an elongated portion) having an electrical trace (e.g., an electrical conductor) that may operate as the antenna to radiate the RF signals. The antenna portion may extend from the matching network circuit 526 on the portion of the flexible printed circuit board in the recess 522 through the opening 515, the intermediate channel 515, and the spiral-shaped channel 511. Since the flexible printed circuit board is flexible, the antenna portion may be configured to wrap around the housing 380′ as the antenna portion extends through the first and second peripheral channels 511. The matching network circuit 526 may be electrically coupled to the motor drive printed circuit board 392 via the coaxial cable 530 that extends through the coaxial cable channel 532.
The motor drive unit 690 may comprise a housing 680. The housing 680 may comprise a body 681 and a cap 650 (e.g., the cap 250 and/or the cap 350). The body 681 may be cylindrical. The cap 650 may be configured to attach to the body 681. The body 681 may comprise an upper portion 682A and a lower portion 682B. The motor drive unit 690 may be operatively coupled to the roller tube 611, for example, via a coupler (e.g., the coupler 395). The coupler may be an output gear that transfers rotation of a motor (e.g., the motor 396) to the roller tube 611. The motorized window treatment 600 (e.g., the motor drive unit 390) may include a bearing assembly 620, that may be captured between the roller tube 611 and the mounting bracket 630. For example, the bearing assembly 620 may be identical to the bearing assembly 320. The bearing assembly 620 may be made of non-metallic (e.g., plastic) sleeve bearings. The bearing assembly 620 may be captured between the roller tube 611 and the mounting bracket 630, such that the bearing assembly 620 may be located in a gap 628 (e.g., a longitudinal gap) between the roller tube 611 and the mounting bracket 630. The components of the motorized window treatment 600 in and/or adjacent to the gap 628 may be non-conductive such that radio-frequency field disruption and/or shielding is minimized. For example, the motorized window treatment 600 may not include conductive (e.g., metal) components in an area radially surrounding the gap 628.
The motor drive unit 690 may include a battery holder 670 (e.g., the battery holder 270, 370). The battery holder 670 and the cap 650 may keep the batteries 660 fixed in place securely while the batteries 660 are providing power to the motor drive unit 690 and/or the cap 650. The battery holder 670 may be configured to clamp the batteries 660 together such that the batteries 660 can be removed from the motorized window treatment 600 at the same time (e.g., together). The battery holder 670 may be received in a motor drive unit cavity 689 of the motor drive unit 690. The batteries 660 may be configured to be removed from the motor drive unit 690, for example, while the housing 680 of the motor drive unit 690 remains engaged with the first mounting bracket 630 and the second mounting bracket. That is, the batteries 660 may be configured to be removed from the motor drive unit 690 when the motorized window treatment 300 is in the pivoted position.
The cap 650 may be configured to cover an end of the motor drive unit cavity 689. For example, the cap 650 may be received (e.g., at least partially) within the motor drive unit cavity 689. The cap 650 may comprise a first portion 651 and a second portion 653. The cap 650 may include a button 652 (e.g., formed as part of the first portion 651 of the cap 650), a control interface printed circuit board 654 (e.g., that is housed between the first portion 651 and the second portion 653), and an electrical contact 656 (e.g., a conductive pad) electrically coupled to the control interface printed circuit board 654. For example, the electrical contact 656 may be a positive electrical contact. Alternatively, the electrical contact 656 may be a negative electrical contact. The cap 650 may include a switch 655 (e.g., a mechanical tactile switch) mounted to the control interface printed circuit board 654 and configured to be actuated in response to actuations of the button 652. The button 652 may be illuminated by a light-emitting diode (LED) 658 mounted to the control interface printed circuit board 654. The motor drive unit 690 may also comprise a wireless communication circuit (e.g., the wireless communication circuit 399) mounted to the interface printed circuit board 654.
As with the motor drive unit 390 shown in
The button 652 may be configured to enable a user to change one or more settings of the motorized window treatment 600. For example, the button 652 may be configured to change one or more settings of the control interface printed circuit board 654 and/or the motor drive printed circuit board. The button 652 may be configured to enable a user to pair the motorized window treatment 600 with a remote control device to allow for wireless communication between the remote control device and the wireless communication circuit mounted to the interface printed circuit board 654. The button 652 may be configured to provide a status indication to a user. For example, the control button 652 may be configured to flash and/or change colors to provide the status indication to the user. The button 652 may be configured to indicate (e.g., via the status indication) whether the motor drive unit 690 is in a programming mode.
The control interface printed circuit board 654 and the motor drive printed circuit board may be electrically connected. For example, the motorized window treatment 600 may include a ribbon cable 686. The ribbon cable 686 may be attached to a connector 688 mounted to the control interface printed circuit board 654 and a similar connector mounted to the motor drive printed circuit board. The ribbon cable 686 may be configured to electrically connect the control interface printed circuit board 654 and the motor drive printed circuit board. The ribbon cable 686 may terminate at the control interface printed circuit board 654 and the motor printed circuit board. For example, the ribbon cable 686 may extend within the motor drive unit cavity 689. The ribbon cable 686 may include electrical conductors for providing power from the batteries 660 to the control interface printed circuit board 654 and/or the motor drive printed circuit board. The ribbon cable 686 may include electrical conductors for conducting control signals (e.g., for transmitting one or more messages) between the control interface printed circuit board 654 and the motor drive printed circuit board. For example, the ribbon cable 686 may be configured to conduct power and/or control signals between the control interface printed circuit board 654 and the motor drive printed circuit board.
The motor drive unit 690 may further comprise an antenna 700. For example, the antenna 700 may comprise an insulated electrical conductor, such as a 22-gauge stranded electrical wire with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating. The antenna 700 may be wrapped around (e.g., wound about) the housing 680. The antenna 700 may be located in a channel 711 (e.g., a spiral-shaped channel) that extends around the cap 650 of the housing 630 of the motor drive unit 690 (e.g., about the periphery of the cap 650), such that the antenna 700 may be wrapped around (e.g., wound about) the cap 650. For example, the channel 711 may be similar in shape as the spiral-shaped channel 511 that extends around the housing 380′ of the motor drive unit 390′ (e.g., as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The antenna 700 may be mechanically and electrically coupled to the control interface printed circuit board 654 for electrically coupling to the wireless communication circuit on the control interface printed circuit board 654. The control interface printed circuit board 654 may have a matching network circuit (e.g., similar to the matching network circuit 426) mounted thereto. The matching network circuit may be electrically coupled between the antenna 700 and the wireless communication circuit mounted to the control interface printed circuit board 654. The matching network circuit on the control interface printed circuit board 654 may be configured to optimize the performance of the antenna 700. For example, the matching network circuit may be configured to match an impedance of the antenna 700 to an impedance of the wireless communication circuit on the control interface printed circuit board 654 to obtain a maximum transfer of power between the antenna 700 and the wireless communication circuit. The matching network circuit may include, for example, an inductor-capacitor (LC) filter. The wireless communication circuit on the control interface printed circuit board 654 may be electrically coupled to a motor control circuit on the motor control printed circuit board via the ribbon cable 686. Alternatively, the wireless communication circuit may be mounted to the motor drive printed circuit board, and the matching network circuit on the control interface printed circuit board 654 may be electrically coupled to the wireless communication circuit via a coaxial cable (e.g., the coaxial cable 430). The coaxial cable may extend through a coaxial cable channel (e.g., similar to coaxial cable channel 432 formed in the inner surface 424 of the upper portion 382A of the housing 380) in the longitudinal direction L of the motorized window treatment 600.
When the wireless communication circuit on the control interface printed circuit board 654 drives the antenna 700 with a signal, the antenna 700 may emit electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio-frequency signals). As previously mentioned, the antenna 700 may be wrapped around the cap 650 of the housing 680 of the motor drive unit 690 adjacent to the gap 628 between the roller tube 611 and the mounting bracket 630. When the antenna 700 is emitting electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves may be coupled to the roller tube 611 (e.g., which may be made of a conductive material, such as aluminum), which may result in current flow on the surface of the roller tube 611 (e.g., standing waves). As a result, the roller tube 311 may re-radiate the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna 700.
While the antenna 700 is shown in
The motor drive unit 800 may comprise a control circuit 830 for controlling the operation of the motor 810. The control circuit 830 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing device or control circuit. The control circuit 830 may be configured to generate a drive signal VDRV for controlling the motor drive circuit 820 to control the rotational speed of the motor 810 (e.g. the motor drive circuit 820 receives the drive signal VDRV and controls, for example, an H-bridge circuit with appropriate PWM signals in response to the drive signal). In examples, the drive signal VDRV may comprise a pulse-width modulated signal, and the rotational speed of the motor 810 may be dependent upon a duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated signal. In examples, the control circuit 830 may directly control the motor 810 (e.g. in a configuration with no separate motor drive circuit 820). For example, the control circuit may generate two PWM signals for controlling the duty cycle and the polarity (e.g. controlling the speed and direction) of the motor 810. In addition, the control circuit 830 may be configured to generate a direction signal VDIR for controlling the motor drive circuit 820 to control the direction of rotation of the motor 810. The control circuit 830 may be configured to control the motor 810 to adjust a present position PPRES of the covering material of the motorized window treatment between a fully-raised position PFULLY-RAISED and a fully-lowered position PFULL-LOWERED.
The motor drive unit 800 may include a rotational sensing circuit 840, e.g., a magnetic sensing circuit, such as a Hall effect sensor (HES) circuit, which may be configured to generate two signals VS1, VS2 (e.g., Hall effect sensor signals) that may indicate the rotational position and direction of rotation of the motor 810. The rotational sensing circuit 840 (e.g., HES circuit) may comprise two internal sensing circuits for generating the respective signals VS1, VS2 (e.g., HES signals) in response to a magnet that may be attached to a drive shaft of the motor 810. The magnet may be a circular magnet having alternating north and south pole regions, for example. For example, the magnet may have two opposing north poles and two opposing south poles, such that each sensing circuit of the rotational sensing circuit 840 is passed by two north poles and two south poles during a full rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 810. Each sensing circuit of the rotational sensing circuit 840 may drive the respective signal VS1, VS2 to a high state when the sensing circuit is near a north pole of the magnet and to a low state when the sensing circuit is near a south pole. The control circuit 830 may be configured to determine that the motor 810 is rotating in response to the signals VS1, VS2 generated by the rotational sensing circuit 840. In addition, the control circuit 830 may be configured to determine the rotational position and direction of rotation of the motor 810 in response to the signals VS1, VS2.
The motor drive unit 800 may include a communication circuit 842 (e.g., such as the control interface printed circuit board 354 shown in
The motor drive unit 800 may communicate with one or more input devices, e.g., such as a remote control device, an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, and/or a shadow sensor. The remote control device, the occupancy sensor, the daylight sensor, and/or the shadow sensor may be wireless control devices (e.g., RF transmitters) configured to transmit messages to the motor drive unit 800 via the RF signals. For example, the remote control device may be configured to transmit digital messages via the RF signals in response to an actuation of one or more buttons of the remote control device. The occupancy sensor may be configured to transmit messages via the RF signals in response to detection of occupancy and/or vacancy conditions in the space in which the motorized window treatment is installed. The daylight sensor may be configured to transmit digital messages via RF signals in response to a measured amount of light inside of the space in which the motorized window treatment is installed. The shadow sensor may be configured to transmit messages via the RF signals in response to detection of a glare condition outside the space in which the motorized window treatment is installed.
The motorized window treatment may be configured to control the covering material according to a timeclock schedule. The timeclock schedule may be stored in the memory. The timeclock schedule may be defined by a user (e.g., a system administrated through a programming mode). The timeclock schedule may include a number of timeclock events. The timeclock events may have an event time and a corresponding command or preset. The motorized window treatment may be configured to keep track of the present time and/or day. The motorized window treatment may transmit the appropriate command or preset at the respective event time of each timeclock event.
The motor drive unit 800 may further comprise a user interface 844 having one or more actuators (e.g., mechanical switches) that allow a user to provide inputs to the control circuit 830 during setup and configuration of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in response to actuations of one or more buttons (e.g., the control button 152 shown in
The motor drive unit 800 may comprise a memory (not shown) configured to store the present position PPRES of the covering material and/or the limits (e.g., the fully-raised position PFULLY-RAISED and the fully-lowered position PFULLY-LOWERED), association information for associations with other devices and/or instructions for controlling the motorized window treatment. The memory may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of the control circuit 830.
The motor drive unit 800 may comprise a compartment 864 (e.g., which may be an example of the battery compartment 211 of the window treatment 200 shown in
The motor drive unit 800 may comprise a filter circuit 870, a current limiting circuit, such as a power converter circuit 852, and an energy storage element 854 (e.g., an intermediate energy storage element such as the intermediate storage device 694 shown in
The filter circuit 870 may receive the battery voltage VBATT. The power converter circuit 852 may draw a battery current IBATT from the batteries 860 through the filter circuit 870. The filter circuit 870 may filter high and/or low frequency components of the battery current IBATT. In some examples, the filter circuit 870 may be a low-pass filter. Also, in some examples, the filter circuit 870 may be omitted from the motor drive circuit 800.
The power converter circuit 852 may be configured to limit the current drawn from the batteries 860 (e.g. allowing a small constant current to flow from the batteries 860). The power converter circuit 852 may receive the battery voltage VBATT via the filter circuit 870. In some examples, the power converter circuit 852 may comprise a step-down power converter, such as a buck converter. The power converter circuit 852 may be configured to charge the energy storage element 854 from the battery voltage VBATT to produce a storage voltage VS across the energy storage element 854 (e.g., approximately 3.5 volts). The motor drive circuit 820 may draw energy from the energy storage element 854 (e.g., via the boost converter circuit 858) to drive the motor 810. As such, the power converter circuit 852 may be configured to limit the current drawn from the batteries 860, for example, by producing a storage voltage VS and driving the motor 810 using the storage voltage VS stored across the energy storage element 854. In most cases, for instance, the motor drive circuit 820 may drive the motor 810 by drawing current from the energy storage element 854 and not drawing any current directly from the batteries 860. Further, it should be appreciated that, in some examples, the power converter circuit 852 may be omitted for another current limiting circuit, such as in instances where the battery voltage VBATT is the same as the storage voltage VS and power conversion (e.g., a step-up or step-down) is not needed to drive the motor 810.
The motor drive unit 800 may be configured to control when and how the energy storage element 854 charges from the batteries 860. The control circuit 830 may control when and how the energy storage element 854 charges from the batteries 860 based on the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854, such as when the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854 falls below a low-side threshold value (e.g., approximately 2.8 volts). For example, the control circuit 830 may be configured to receive a scaled storage voltage VSS via a scaling circuit 856 (e.g., a resistive divider circuit). The scaling circuit 856 may receive the storage voltage VS and may generate the scaled storage voltage VSS. The control circuit 830 may determine the magnitude of the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854 based on the magnitude of the scaled storage voltage VSS. When the control circuit 830 determines that the magnitude of the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854 falls below the low-side threshold value, the control circuit 830 may control a charging enable signal VEN (e.g., drive the charging enable control signal VEN high) to enable the power converter circuit 852. When the power converter circuit 852 is enabled, the power converter circuit 852 may be configured to charge the energy storage element 854 (e.g. from the batteries 860). When the power converter circuit 852 is disabled, the power converter circuit 852 may be configured to cease charging the energy storage element 854 (e.g. from the batteries 860).
The motor drive unit 800 may utilize the energy storage element 854 to draw a small constant current from the batteries 860 over a long period of time to extend the lifetime (e.g., and increase the total energy output) of the batteries 860. For example, the motor drive unit 800 (e.g., the power converter circuit 852 and/or the motor drive circuit 820) may limit the current drawn by the power converter circuit 852. The motor drive unit 800 may draw current from the batteries 860 that is less than the limit, but not more.
When enabled, the power converter circuit 852 may be configured to conduct an average current IAVE (e.g., having a magnitude of approximately 15 milliamps) from the batteries 860. The magnitude of the average current IAVE may be much smaller than a magnitude of a drive current required by the motor drive circuit 820 to rotate the motor 810. When the motor drive circuit 820 is driving the motor 810, the magnitude of the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854 may decrease with respect to time. When the motor drive circuit 820 is not driving the motor 810 and the power converter circuit 852 is charging the energy storage element 854, the magnitude of the storage voltage VS may increase (e.g., slowly increase). When the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854 falls below a low-side threshold value (e.g. approximately 2.8V), the control circuit 830 may enable the power converter circuit 852 to begin charging the energy storage element 854. The storage voltage VS may fall below the low-side threshold value after powering movements of the covering material, powering low-voltage components, and/or due to leakage currents over time. When the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854 rises above a high-side threshold value (e.g., approximately 3.5 volts), the control circuit 830 may cease driving the charging enable signal VEN high to disable the power converter circuit 852 and stop the charging of the energy storage element 854 from the batteries 860.
The motor drive unit 800 may further comprise the boost converter circuit 858 that receives the storage voltage VS and generates a motor voltage VMOTOR (e.g., approximately 5 volts) for powering the motor 810. The motor voltage VMOTOR may be larger than the storage voltage VS. In some examples, a switch (e.g., a single pole double throw switch) may connect the batteries 860 and the energy storage element 854 to the boost converter 858 (e.g., if the required motor voltage level exceeds the present battery voltage VBAT). When the control circuit 830 controls the motor drive circuit 820 to rotate the motor 810, the boost converter circuit 858 may conduct current from the energy storage element 854 to generate the motor voltage VMOTOR. As noted above, in some examples, the motor drive unit 800 may not include the boost converter circuit 858, for example, based on the voltage requirements of the motor 810.
The motor drive unit 800 may also comprise a controllable switching circuit 862 coupled between the batteries 860 and the motor drive circuit 820. The control circuit 830 may generate a switch control signal VSW for rendering the controllable switching circuit 862 conductive and non-conductive. The control circuit 830 may be configured to render the controllable switching circuit 862 conductive to bypass the filter circuit 870, the power converter circuit 852, the energy storage element 854, and/or the boost converter circuit 858 to allow the motor drive circuit 820 to draw current directly from the batteries (e.g., when the energy storage element 854 is depleted). For example, the control circuit 830 may render the controllable switching circuit 862 conductive when the control circuit 830 determines that the magnitude of the storage voltage VS of the energy storage element 854 (e.g., based on the magnitude of the scaled storage voltage VSS) is depleted below a threshold and the control circuit 830 has received an input or command to operate the motor 810 and, for example, does not have enough energy to complete a movement or an amount of movement of the covering material). For example, the control circuit may determine if the energy storage element 854 has enough energy to complete a movement or an amount of movement of the covering material by comparing a present storage level of the energy storage element 854 (e.g., the storage voltage VS) to a threshold. The threshold may indicate a storage level sufficient to complete a full movement of the covering material from the fully-lowered position PFULLY-LOWERED to the fully-raised position PFULLY-RAISED (e.g., a fixed threshold). The threshold may be constant or may vary, for example, depending on the amount of movement of the covering material required by the received command, such that the threshold (e.g., a variable threshold) may indicate a storage level sufficient to complete the movement required by the received command.
If the energy storage element 854 is not sufficiently charged (e.g., does not have enough energy to move the covering material), the control circuit 830 may close the controllable switching circuit 862 at to allow the electrical load (e.g., the motor) to draw current directly from the batteries 860. Closing the controllable switching circuit 862 may bypass the energy storage element 854, such that the stored energy of the energy storage element 854 is not used for driving the motor 810 to move the covering material.
The control circuit 830 may be configured to determine when one or more of the batteries 860 are not installed in the compartment 864 when in the operating position. For example, the control circuit 830 may be configured to determine that one or more of the batteries 860 are missing when the magnitude of the battery voltage VBATT drops to approximately zero volts (e.g., there is an open circuit between the battery contacts). The control circuit 830 may be configured to determine the magnitude of the battery voltage VBATT in response to a scaled battery voltage VBATT-S received via a scaling circuit 866 (e.g., a resistive divider circuit). The scaling circuit 866 may receive the battery voltage VBATT and may generate the scaled battery voltage VBATT-S. The control circuit 830 may be configured to disable (e.g., automatically disable) the operation of the motor 810 of the motor drive unit 800 in response to the scaled battery voltage VBATT-S, such that the covering material cannot be raised or lowered when one or more of the batteries 860 are not installed in the battery compartment 864, which may prevent depletion of the intermediate storage element 854. The control circuit 830 may be configured to enable the operation of the motor 810 in response to the scaled battery voltage VBATT-S when all of the batteries 860 are installed.
The motor drive unit 800 may comprise a power supply 880 (e.g., a low-voltage power supply). The power supply 880 may receive the battery voltage VBATT. The power supply 880 may be configured to produce a low-voltage supply voltage VCC (e.g., approximately 3.3 volts) for powering low-voltage circuitry of the motor drive unit 800, such as the user interface 844, the communication circuit 842, and the control circuit 830. Further, in some examples, the power supply 880 may be omitted from the motor drive unit 800 (e.g. if the low-voltage circuitry of the motor drive unit 800 is able to be powered directly from the storage voltage VS). Additionally or alternatively, the motor drive unit 800 may comprise a power supply (not shown) that may receive the storage voltage VS and generate the low voltage VCC (e.g., approximately 3.3 V) for powering the control circuit 830 and other low-voltage circuitry of the motor drive unit 800, e.g., the user interface 844, the communication circuit 842, and the control circuit 830.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/193,433, filed May 26, 2021, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/227,252, filed Jul. 29, 2021, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63193433 | May 2021 | US | |
| 63227252 | Jul 2021 | US |
