Control module having a clutch for raising and lowering a window shade

• US 20120048485A1
• Filed: 08/25/2010
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teh Yor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Teh Yor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Fu-Lai, Yu, Chin-Tien, Huang
• Granted Patent: US 8,356,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/331
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2627 Cellular screens, e.g. box or honeycomb-like
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/3222 Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/322 Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives operating devices E06B9/68 ; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/326 Details of cords, e.g. buckles, drawing knobs

Abstract

A control module may be used for raising and lowering a window shade. This configuration allows a user to pull the operating cord a predetermined distance to raise the window shade, then release the operating cord until it has retracted, and then pull the operating cord another predetermined distance to raise the window shade again. A brake mechanism is operably connected to a brake release and configured to lock or unlock the drive axle. A clutch is adapted to be mounted on the axle for selectively engaging the cord drum to the axle. The cord drum may rotate independent of the drive axle when a clutch is disengaged from the drive axle. As a result, movement of the operating cord will not cause the window shade to raise while the clutch is disengaged. When the clutch is engaged with the drive axle, the cord drum and adapter sleeve may rotate together to drive the rotation of the drive axle for raising the window shade.

Claims

1. A control module adapted for being operatively connected to an axle of a window shade having a motor mechanism on the axle to raise and lower the window shade, the control module comprising:

a brake mechanism mounted with the axle and having a locked position and an unlocked position;

a brake release operably connected to the brake mechanism and movable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position;

a cord drum adapted to be selectively connected to the axle and operably connected to the motor mechanism; and

a clutch adapted to be mounted on the axle for operatively engaging the cord drum to the axle to raise the window shade.

2. The control module of claim 1 including an operating cord wrapped around the cord drum.

3. The control module of claim 2 wherein the operating cord is operably connected to the brake release such that partial unwinding of the cord unlocks the brake mechanism.

4. The control module of claim 1 wherein the clutch further comprises:

a first coupling element having a guide track and coaxially assembled with a second coupling element;

the first and second coupling elements configured to rotate with respect to each other to form at least two configurations; and

a track member movable along the guide track for coupling and uncoupling the cord drum with the axle;

wherein the first coupling element engages the cord drum assembly and the second coupling element is adapted for operatively engaging the drive axle.

5. The control module of claim 4 wherein the clutch further comprises at least one radial abutment at the first coupling element for engaging at lease one radial rib at the second coupling element.

6. The control module of claim 1 wherein the brake mechanism further comprises a spring element adapted to be circumscribed about the axle and secured to the brake release by at least a flange portion extending outwardly from the brake to the brake release.

7. The control module of claim 6 wherein the spring element is adapted to tighten around the axle to lock rotation of the axle.

8. The control module of claim 1 wherein the clutch further comprises at least one stud for engaging the cord drum assembly and a first plurality of cogs adapted for operatively engaging the axle to actuate rotation of the axle.

9. The control module of claim 1 wherein a control stick is operably connected to the brake release such that downward movement of the control stick unlocks the brake mechanism.

10. The control module of claim 9 including an operating cord wrapped around the cord drum and at least partially enclosed within a hollow cavity of the control stick.

11. A control module adapted for being operatively connected to an axle of a window shade to raise and lower the window shade, the control module comprising:

a cord drum assembly adapted to be selectively connected to the axle;

a motor mechanism adapted to be mounted to the axle for driving rotation of the cord drum assembly;

a brake mechanism adapted to be circumscribed about the axle and having a locked position and an unlocked position;

a brake release disposed along the drive axle for movement between a first locked position and a second unlocked position, the brake release operably connected to the cord drum such that partial unwinding of the operating cord unlocks the brake mechanism;

an operating cord wrapped around the cord drum and associated with the brake release to move the brake release to the second unlocked position for releasing the window shade and rotate the cord drum; and

a clutch adapted to be mounted on the axle, the clutch having a first coupling element for engaging the cord drum assembly and a second coupling element adapted to operatively engage the axle, the clutch operatively engaging the cord drum with the axle when the operating cord is unwound from the cord drum.

12. The control module of claim 11 wherein the first coupling element further comprises a guide track for receiving a track member movable along the guide track for operatively engaging and disengaging the cord drum with the axle.

13. The control module of claim 11 wherein the first coupling element further comprises at least one radial abutment and the second coupling element further comprises at least one radial rib, wherein at least one of the at least one radial abutment engages the at least one radial rib.

14. The control module of claim 11 wherein the first coupling element further comprises at least one guide track and the second coupling element further comprises at least one stud for engaging the at least one guide track.

15. A window shade assembly comprising:

a head rail;

a bottom rail;

a window shade;

a rotatable drive axle disposed within the head rail along a drive axis and connected to the window shade for raising or lowering the window shade;

a control module disposed in the head rail comprising;

a housing configured to receive a portion of the drive axle, the housing comprising exterior sidewalls and an opening for the drive axle;

an adapter sleeve fixed to the drive axle;

a brake mechanism mounted around the adapter sleeve and having a locked position and an unlocked position;

a brake release disposed along the drive axis and operably connected to the brake mechanism for movement to at least a first locked position and a second unlocked position;

a cord drum disposed along the drive axis to rotationally engage a clutch;

an operating cord associated with the brake release to move the brake release to the second unlocked position and to rotate the cord drum;

a motor mechanism operatively connected to the cord drum assembly to drive rotation of the cord drum assembly for winding the operating cord thereon; and

the clutch for selectively engaging the cord drum and the adapter sleeve to allow the rotation of the cord drum to drive the rotation of the drive axle to raise the window shade.

16. The window shade assembly of claim 15 wherein the brake mechanism has a first flange portion extending in a outward direction and secured to the housing and a second flange portion extending in an outward direction and secured to the brake release.

17. The window shade assembly of claim 15 wherein the clutch further comprises:

a first coupling element having a guide track coaxially assembled with a second coupling element, the first and second coupling elements configured to rotate with respect to each other to form at least two configurations; and

a track member movable along the guide track to engage a portion of the adapter sleeve for actuating rotation of the drive axle;

wherein the first coupling element engages the cord drum assembly and the second coupling element is adapted for engaging the adapter sleeve.

18. The window shade assembly of claim 17 wherein the adapter sleeve has a radial slot for receiving the track member to actuate rotation of the adapter sleeve.

19. The window shade assembly of claim 15 wherein the clutch is adapted to move in an axial direction to engage the adapter sleeve.

20. The window shade assembly of claim 15 wherein the clutch further comprises a first plurality of cogs and the adapter sleeve having a second plurality of cogs for engaging the first plurality of cogs to actuate rotation of the drive axle.

21. The window shade assembly of claim 15 wherein the brake release further comprises a bore configured to receive a release mechanism for rotating the brake release to the first locked position and second unlocked position.

22. The window shade assembly of claim 15 wherein the operating cord has a length less than half of the length of the window shade.