Motorized Curtain Driving Device

This application claims is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/423,177, filed on Jan. 25, 2024, which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/441,363, filed on Jan. 26, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The present disclosure relates to the field of smart homes, and more particularly to a motorized device for opening and closing curtains that permits automated control.

There are numerous devices that make it possible for motorized devices to maneuver the opening and closing of a curtain. One conventional approach installs a curtain track with internal motorized mechanism for opening and closing a curtain. This approach entails an involved installation process, and requires acquisition of compatible curtains. Another conventional approach consists in motorizing the movement of a head carriage fixed to an end of the curtain. This approach generally involves a complex installation procedure that may require professional service.

A further approach incorporates a carriage with a friction wheel driven in rotation by a motor to contact a running surface along a rail or rod. The device propels the curtain while the device is suspended from the rail or rod. However, conventional suspended motorized curtain opening devices have created several shortcomings and a new set of technical challenges. One shortcoming of conventional suspended curtain devices is that they can be obstructed during travel along a rod or rail. Existing suspended curtain devices can become stuck on a rod joint of a telescoping curtain rod and can become stuck when used with grommet-type curtains. Existing suspended curtain devices can have difficulty handling tight bends and curves on a rail. Conventional suspended curtain devices may encounter difficulties during installation, such as incompatibility with large-diameter or small-diameter rods and set-up problems in double-panel curtain installations. Another technical challenge is that curtain rod or rail installations can undergo various physical effects during continuing operation, which may compromise accuracy of motorized control by suspended curtain opening devices.

For the aforementioned reasons, there is a need for a suspended motorized device to maneuver the opening and closing of a curtain and provide smooth travel along a rod or rail. There is a need for a suspended motorized curtain device that offers rapid, simplified installation. There is a need for design of a suspended curtain device that can accommodate various rod and rail installations and that can deliver constant pressure to a friction wheel. There is a need to maintain accuracy of automated control of curtain opening and closing while compensating for any physical effects of a curtain rod or rail installation in a suspended curtain drive system, e.g., in the event of material fatigue or creep of the curtain rod or rail installation.

Described herein are embodiments of a device for opening and closing a curtain, curtain opening device, suspended curtain device, or curtain device. When one or more such devices are installed on a curtain rod or rail, the installation may be referred to herein as a curtain drive system.

In disclosed embodiments, a device for opening and closing a curtain on a rod or rail includes a driven wheel coupled to a motor within a housing. The driven wheel protrudes from the housing in frictional engagement with the rod or rail. The device further includes a suspension assembly including a support member and a linkage. The support member is in sliding or rolling contact with the rod or rail. The linkage extends along a suspension axis and connects the support member to the housing to suspend the housing from the support member. The driven wheel is rotated by the motor to advance the device along the rod or rail for opening and closing the curtain with the housing suspended from the support member.

In various embodiments, the support member is a slide member in sliding contact with the rod or rail. In an embodiment, the slide member is a V-shaped member with two frustrum portions. In various embodiments, the support member is a roller member in rolling contact with the rod or rail.

In various embodiments, the linkage includes one or more spring that bias the housing to press the driven wheel against the rod or rail. The linkage may include a spring holder containing the one or more springs and connected to the housing, and an arm connected to the support member and detachably joined to the spring holder.

In various embodiments, the linkage includes a locking mechanism with one or more detent positions to arrest movement of the linkage relative to the housing along the suspension axis.

In various embodiments, the suspension assembly is moveable between a first locked position defined by the support member extended a first distance from the housing, and a second engaged position defined by the support member extend a second distance from the housing, the second distance less than the first distance, and wherein in the first locked position the locking mechanism extends from the suspension assembly and engages with the housing to resist a force of the one or more springs, and in the engaged position the locking mechanism is positioned within the suspension assembly to allow the one or more springs to bias the housing to press the driven wheel against the rod or rail.

In various embodiments, the suspension assembly is moveable between a first locked position defined by the support member extended a first distance from the housing, and a second engaged position defined by the support member extended a second distance from the housing, the second distance less than the first distance.

In various embodiments, the linkage includes a first member extending from the support member to the housing along a first suspension axis at a first side of the driven wheel, and a second member extending from the support member to the housing along a second suspension axis at a second side of the driven wheel. The first member may include a first spring and the second member may include a second spring, wherein the first spring and the second spring bias the housing to press the driven wheel against the rod or rail. In an embodiment, the firm member and the second member are integral with the support member. In an embodiment, the first member and the second member are fastened to the support member.

In disclosed embodiments, a system for opening and closing a curtain on a rod or rail incorporates a modular arrangement in which the user may select and attach a suspension assembly that is compatible with an existing curtain rod or curtain rail installation. In an embodiment, a user may select and attach suspension assembly for suspending the device from a curtain rod. In other embodiments, the user may select and attach a suspension assembly including a support member with terminal members such as wheels, rollers or bearings configured travel along a curtain track or rail. The support member may be configured to roll or slide along outer channels in an I-rail installation, or may be configured to roll or slide along an inner channel in a U-rail installation. The support member may include terminal members such as wheels, rollers or bearings configured to roll or slide along channel surfaces of a curtain rail.

In disclosed embodiments, a system for opening and closing a curtain on a rod or rail includes a driven wheel coupled to a motor within a housing and in frictional engagement with the rod or rail. The driven wheel is rotated by the motor to advance the device along the rod or rail for opening and closing the curtain. The system includes a controller for the motor and an encoder operatively connected to the controller. The encoder tracks rotational movement of the driven wheel. The system further includes one or more sensor targets disposed on the rod or rail, and a sensor operatively connected to the controller. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating presence of each of the one or more sensor targets when the sensor is located in proximity to or in contact with the respective sensor target during the advance of the device along the rod or rail.

In an embodiment, the system comprises a suspension assembly including a support member in sliding or rolling contact with the rod or rail and a linkage suspending the housing from the support member.

In an embodiment, the encoder is a rotary encoder that generates output pulses based upon rotational movement of the driven wheel.

In an embodiment, the one or more sensor targets comprise a first marker and a second marker, wherein the controller is calibrated to store a first position of the first marker and a second position of the second marker. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicating presence of each of the first marker and second marker and to identify a drift from the respective first position or second position during continuing operation of the device. In an embodiment, the controller is configured, in the event of identifying the drift from the respective first position or second position during continuing operation of the device, to recalibrate the respective first position or second position to compensate for the identified drift.

In various embodiments, the sensor is a contact sensor connected to an electrical circuit. Each of the one or more sensor targets comprises a piece of electrically conductive material configured to cause a short circuit in the electrical circuit when the piece of electrically conductive material is in contact with the contact sensor. In an embodiment, the contact sensor comprises an electrically conductive material at the surface of the driven wheel. In an embodiment, the contact sensor comprises electrically conductive probes that travel with the device and touch the rod or rail at all times during the advance of the device along the rod or rail.

In various embodiments, the sensor is a RFID sensor operatively connected to the controller, wherein each of the one or more sensor targets comprises an RFID tag.

In various embodiments, the controller receives a feedback from at least one of the motor or the encoder, and wherein the controller is further configured to use the feedback to determine each end of a maximum range of travel based on at least one of an increase in a current consumption of the motor, an increase in a torque generated, or a decrease in a speed at a given power level to determine a maximum range of travel along the rod or rail.

In an embodiment, a device for opening and closing a curtain on a rod or rail comprises a driven wheel coupled to a motor within a housing and protruding from the housing in frictional engagement with the rod or rail; and a suspension assembly comprising a support member in sliding or rolling contact with the rod or rail and a linkage extending along a suspension axis and connecting the support member to the housing to suspend the housing from the support member, wherein the driven wheel is rotated by the motor to advance the device along the rod or rail for opening and closing the curtain with the housing suspended from the support member.

In an embodiment, a system for opening and closing a curtain on a rod or rail comprises a driven wheel coupled to a motor within a housing and in frictional engagement with the rod or rail, wherein the driven wheel is rotated by the motor to advance the device along the rod or rail for opening and closing the curtain; a controller for the motor; an encoder operatively connected to the controller, wherein the encoder tracks rotational movement of the driven wheel; one or more sensor targets disposed on the rod or rail; and a sensor operatively connected to the controller and configured to generate a signal indicating presence of each of the one or more sensor targets disposed on the rod or rail when the sensor is located in proximity to or in contact with the respective sensor target during the advance of the device along the rod or rail.

Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will be apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The present disclosure is herein described in detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. Furthermore, the various components and embodiments described herein may be combined to form additional embodiments not expressly described, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

is an isometric view of a devicefor opening and closing a curtain. The device includes support arms,extending from housing. Support armsandmay be raised and lowered together or independently and each support arm,may be coupled to a spring loaded mechanism within housing. The independent suspension of support armsandallows the deviceto more easily traverse rods or rails with bumps, limps, protrusions. A first V-wheeland second V-wheelare rotatably mounted to support armsand. A driven wheelprotrudes from top of housing.

is an isometric view of a devicefor opening and closing a curtain mounted on a rod. The device includes support arms,extending from housing. Support armsandmay be raised and lowered together or independently, e.g., using slidewith limit. Each support arm may be coupled to a spring loaded mechanism within housing. A first V-wheeland second V-wheelare rotatably mounted to support armsandin rolling contact with the rod. A driven wheelprotrudes from top of housingin frictional engagement with the rod. The driven wheelmay be rotated by a motor (not shown) within housingto advance the device along the rodwhile V-wheels,maintain rolling contact with the rod. The deviceis suspended from the rodsupported by V-wheels,and support arms,.

shows an elevation view of a V-wheel support member. V-wheelincludes two frustrum portions,that provide inward forces in rolling along a rod. V-wheelmay have radiused outer surfaces,.shows a schematic diagram of interface between V-wheel support member and rod circumference at a section A-A from. In order to maintain contact on the rod, V-wheelhas a channel between both sides of the wheel with a radius. The radiuscan at or be between 120° and 160°. The radiuscan be 140°. This geometry ensures contact is made on rod sizes ranging from a 15 mm rod diameterup to a 40 mm rod diameter. In another embodiment, a V-shaped slide support member may incorporate similar geometry to ensure that contact is made on rod diameters of 15 mm and up to 40 mm diameter rods

show a devicefor opening and closing a curtain in various configurations of a suspension assembly. In the configuration of, a suspension assembly including a V-wheel and left and right support arms is in retracted configuration, providing a spacebelow the support wheel of minimal size for accommodating a rod. A slideand limit memberfor raising and lowering the suspension assembly are at lowermost position. In the configuration of, the V-wheel and left and right support arms are in intermediate configuration, providing an intermediate space below the support wheel of intermediate size for accommodating a rod. The slideand limit memberare at intermediate position. In the configuration of, the V-wheel and left and right support arms are in extended configuration, providing a maximum spacebelow the support wheel for accommodating a rod. The slideand limit memberare at uppermost position.

is an elevation view of a double curtain installationintegrating a pair of devices for opening and closing a curtain. Double curtain installation includes first curtain paneland second curtain panelhanging from curtain rod. First curtain opening deviceis mounted to curtain rodbetween two inner pleats of first curtain panel, such that movement of devicetoward the left end of curtain rodwill open curtain panel. Second curtain opening deviceis mounted to curtain rodbetween two inner pleats of second curtain panel, such that movement of devicetoward the right end of curtain rodwill open curtain panel. Curtain rodcarries fixed markers(,,, and), which serve as sensor targets for auto-calibration of position tracking of devicesandas they travel along curtain rod.

Curtain opening devices of the disclosure may be integrated in various curtain installations:

In disclosed embodiments, the curtain opening device may be installed on rods, e.g., with an inch of space above. In disclosed embodiments, the device may be installed on rail tracks that are embed into the ceiling or hung from the ceiling. Installation is simple, with few components involved in assembly procedures. The device is easy to uninstall without leaving damage.

is a front perspective view of a modular suspension assemblywith two-arm linkage. The linkageincludes a detachable two-arm support assembly with left and right armssupporting rotatable V-wheel. The linkage further includes a spring holdercontaining a spring (not shown). Spring holderincludes a slideand limitfor raising and lowering the suspension assembly relative to device housing ().

The two-arm support assemblyis detachably joined to the spring holderat modular line. In an embodiment, the linkageincludes a snap fit joint such as a buckle atto detachably join the two-arm support assemblyto the spring holder. The snap-fit joint may include flexible components configured to form the joint by pushing' interlocking components together during insertion of the modular suspension assembly into the device. The device may include a release mechanism to undo the snap-fit such as lever or pin to be pushed. Other types of detachable joints may be employed.

shows an embodiment of extension spring holder, which may be an interior mechanism of spring holder.

show various embodiments of device for opening and closing a curtain with roller-type support member in rolling contact with a rod. Unlike conventional curtain opening devices including a roller in contact with a rod or rail, the devices of the disclosure incorporate one or more suspension assembly to suspend the housing along a suspension axis and to permit spring action mounting of support arms.

show a devicewith support armsextending on either side of the rod, supporting roller members. Interchangeable armsare detachably mounted to a spring mechanism in the housing, permitting housingand driven wheelto spring up and downrelative to the support arms. A release buttonreleases the support arms from the housing. The support members, roller members, are bearing wheels, best seen in. In an example, roller members are 22 mm bearing wheels, which are small sized wheels providing three points of contact.

show a devicewith support armsextending on either side of the rod, supporting roller members. Interchangeable support armsare detachably mounted to a spring mechanism in the housingand permit the device to spring up and downrelative to the support. The roller membersare skateboard wheels, best seen in. The skateboard wheels are durable wheels providing excellent traction in rolling against the rod.

shows a devicewith support armsextending on either side of the rod, supporting roller members. Interchangeable support armsare detachably mounted to a spring mechanism in the housing, permitting the housing to spring up and downrelative to the support arms. A release buttonreleases the support arms from the housing. The roller membersare V-groove wheels. V-groove wheels have a relatively large profile, with forces applied inward.shows a devicewith two sets of V-groove wheel roller membersin rolling contact with the rod.

is an isometric view showing industrial design of a devicefor opening and closing a curtain mounted on a rod. The device includes two V-shaped slide members at front and right sides of the device. Each slide member is integral with support arms mounted to the device.

is an elevation perspective view of a partially disassembled devicefor opening and closing a curtain. First and second slide armsinclude radiused surfaces for movement along a rod or raise under sliding force. The slide armsare independent to improve the ability of the deviceto traverse bumps or lips long a rod or rail. These slide armsprovide smooth travel along a rod or rail, even in circumstances such as telescoping rod joint in which conventional curtain opening devices can become obstructed. Driven wheelincludes a rubberized grip providing good traction with a rod or rail. Ratchet assemblydefines one or more assembly positions and a live position. A springis located in a ratchet housing. Circuit boardincludes a user button/LED interfaceand control circuitry including device position tracking with auto-calibration.

are elevation perspective views of a partially disassembled device for opening and closing a curtain illustrating various device configurations during installation. In the first configuration shown in, the user can access spring holes of a base structure(e.g., spring holder) within the device housing to attach detachable armsto the base structure. In the second configuration shown in, the user pulls up armsto define openingsbetween the support members at the top of armsand the device. In an embodiment, this second configuration may accommodate smallest rod size, e.g., 15 mm diameter rod. In the third configuration shown in, the user pulls up armsfurther to define larger openingsbetween the support members at the top of armsand the device. In an embodiment, this third configuration may accommodate largest rod size, e.g., 40 mm diameter rod. In the fourth configuration shown in, the user pulls up armsto an upper limit. This configuration engages the ratchet springs as shown atin, and enables the device to return to a resting/live configuration as shown atin.

are elevation views of a suspension assembly with ratchet-spring mechanism, showing different spring configurations. With the armand ratchet housinglowered as shown in, the springsare at rest. Pulling up on the armraises ratchet housingas shown inand stretches the springsto increase spring tension. In an embodiment, the ratchet housingdefines two detent positions at which the ratchet clicks in and freezes the springs in place. This allows the user to assemble the device to a curtain installation easily. This spring design is effective at delivering constant pressure, no matter what size rod. In various embodiments, springsare tension springs.

shows an elevation perspective view of interior components of a devicefor opening and closing a curtain. Left and right suspension assembliesof deviceinclude left and right armsfastened to ratchet-spring holder assemblies. Driven wheelprotrudes from device housingand motoris centrally located below driven wheel. Ratchetscooperate with ratchet-spring holder assembliesto guide upward and downward motion of device housingrelative to left and right suspension assembliesand to limit this motion.

is an elevation perspective view of area “A” inshowing details of ratchet and spring mechanismsat left side of the device. Ratchet-spring holder assemblyhouses a spring (not seen in this view) extending along the suspension axis. A spring-loaded ratchet fingerextends from ratchet-spring holder assembly. The ratchetincludes a vertically extending slot with ratchet teeth providing one-way motion of the suspension assembly. Ratchetdefines a series of detent positions to arrest movement of the housing relative to the support member along the suspension axis. With the ratchet finger at upward limit, the ratchet reengages the spring to permit upward movement of the housing. With the ratchet finger at detent position, the device is held in position at an extended configuration to detach the armsfrom the device. With the ratchet finger at detent position, the device is held in position to access the screw holes to attach the arms to the device during installation (). The lowermost ratchet positionis a resting/live position of device operation.

show assembly configurations of a devicefor opening and closing a curtain. In the first assembly configurationof, two suspension assembliesat left and right sides of the device, including a left armand a right arm, keep the devicefirmly secured to the rod. This is a resting/live configuration for the device. During installation, the deviceis set at a height to provide a clearance of driven wheelto rodsuitable to the diameter of the rod. This is an assembly or installing position for the device. Following installation, the arms,can be pulled down but will spring back to the rodwhen released, returning to the resting/live configuration. In an embodiment, the suspension assembliesdeliver constant pressure to the rodregardless of size of the rod.

In the second assembly configurationof, the leftand rightarms of the two suspension assembliessnap into components in the body of the devicealong left and right suspension axes. In an embodiment, the leftand rightarms snap into spring holders, which permit the arms,to spring up and down and which deliver spring pressure to the suspension assemblies.

In the third assembly configurationof, the leftand rightarms of the two suspension assembliescan spring up and down. In an embodiment, each of the leftand rightarms can spring up and down independently, permitting tilting of the devicetoward the left or toward the right.