Patent Application
20120298315
Many retractable awning systems, as installed on motorhomes and buildings, have systems for automatically retracting the awning under severe wind conditions which may otherwise damage the awning fabric or framework. A control device is often used with sensors for either measuring wind speed or the motion of the awning. Useful sensors are those that sense or detect wind speed or awning motion such as anemometers, strain gauges and accelerometers, to name a few.
An awning control system in accordance with the present invention provides automatic retraction of an extended awning upon detection of motion of an awning lead rail, or header.
In general, the present invention includes a lead rail housing fixable to the awning lead rail along with a sensing circuit for providing a radio frequency signal (wind signal), corresponding to awning deflection or wind speed. The signal is receivable by an awning motor which in turn is effective in retracting the awning with the lead rail into an awning cassette.
The deflection signal is provided by a motion detector connected to the sensor circuit and occurs upon a preset movement of the motion detector.
A magnetic power switch is incorporated in the sensing circuit for disabling the wind signal when the magnet power switch is in a magnetic field. In this manner, the magnetic power switch turns off the system when the awning is retracted.
A magnet, disposed in the awning cassette provides an operative magnetic field to the magnet power switch when the awning lead rail resides in the awning cassette.
It should be appreciated that the control system in accordance with the present invention may be also used as an improvement to an existing awning control system having already installed a motor for retraction of the awning.
More particularly, the system in accordance with the present invention includes a motion detector having a limit switch having an activator lever disposed in the lead rail housing for closing the limit switch upon a preselected vertical movement of the lever, which is due to inertial movement of a weight disposed on the lever. Positional adjustment of the weight along the lever provides for a sensitivity adjustment as to preset movement of the header.
It should be appreciated that the sensing circuit, although shown installed in a single header housing may be utilized for controlling a plurality of awnings, each having an awning motor receptive to the wind signal transmitted by the sensing circuit.
The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to
With reference again to
The deflection signal is provided by a motion detector 50 disposed within the housing 38, see
The motion detector 50 utilizes a conventional limit switch 54 to close a normally open circuit between interconnecting wires 58, 60. Closing of the circuit initiates the RF wind signal by way of the sensing circuit 42, any conventional electronic circuitry being utilized for this purpose.
Operation of the limit switch 54 is through a lever 64 including a threaded portion 68 having a weight 72 screwed thereon and fixed by a nut 74. By adjusting the lateral position of the weight 72 along the lever 64 by rotation of the weight 72 on the threaded portion 68 presets the amount of inertial movement of the weight necessary to close the interconnecting wires 58, 60. Thus, the system 10 provides for a simple low cost mechanism with ease of calibration, i.e. sensitivity adjustment, along with a rugged construction to provide for dependable outdoor operation.
The motion detector 50 in accordance with the present invention utilizes a commercially available limit switch 54, as hereinabove noted, for closing the circuitry 58, 60 when the lever 64 is caused to deflect downwards due to the inertia movement of the weight 72 when a vertical motion is applied, see arrow 76, due to wind gusts or the like.
It should be appreciated that a single sensing circuit installed in one of the awning lead rails 18 is able to control nearby awnings, not shown, each having a suitable signal receiving motor.
With reference again to
Although there has been hereinabove described a specific awning control system in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
