VARIABLE FORCE BRAKE FOR A WINDOW COVERING OPERATING SYSTEM

• US 20150028144A1
• Filed: 09/09/2014
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Levolor, Inc (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Newell Window Furnishings Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Defenbaugh, Michael, Hyde, Tim, Johnson, Brian Bellamy, Maust, Joshua, Morales, Miguel
• Granted Patent: US 9,988,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/378.4
• 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

Abstract

An operating system for a window covering includes at least one spring motor, at least one variable force brake, and at least one lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering a panel. An effective shaft is operatively coupled to and synchronizes the spring motor, the variable force brake, and the lift spool. The variable force brake comprises a one-way clutch operatively coupled to the shaft. A brake member is operatively engaged with the one-way clutch to apply a brake force to the one-way clutch when the shaft is rotated. The magnitude of the brake force applied to the one-way clutch is determined by the rotational position of the shaft.

Claims

1. An operating system for a window covering comprising:

at least one spring motor;

at least one variable force brake;

at least one lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering a panel;

and an effective shaft operatively coupled to each of the at least one spring motor, the at least one variable force brake, and the at least one lift spool assembly and synchronizing the at least one spring motor, the at least one variable force brake, and the at least one lift spool assembly, the at least one variable force brake comprising an outer race selectively coupled for rotation with the shaft by a one-way clutch where the outer race is in contact with a brake member such that the braking force applied by the brake member to the outer race varies as the panel is raised and lowered.

2. The operating system of claim 1 wherein a cam rotates when the effective shaft rotates, the cam moving a cam follower operatively engaged with the brake member to vary the force of the brake against the one-way clutch.

3. The operating system of claim 2 wherein the cam follower moves an adjustment mechanism that engages the brake member.

4. The operating system of claim 3 wherein the outer race has a generally cylindrical shape that defines a cylindrical brake surface and the brake member comprises a band brake that is in contact with the brake surface.

5. The operating system of claim 4 wherein the band brake has a first end and a second movable end where the movable end is moved toward the second end to adjust the force applied by the brake to the one-way clutch by the adjustment mechanism.

6. The operating system of claim 3 wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the compression of a spring that exerts a variable force on the brake member.

7. The operating system of claim 1 wherein the magnitude of the braking force is varied over a range and the range is adjustable.

8. The operating system of claim 1 wherein the one-way clutch comprises a one-way needle bearing comprising a plurality of needle bearings that receive the effective shaft where the one-way needle bearing is mounted for rotation with the outer race.

9. The variable force brake of claim 1 wherein a cam is operatively connected to the effective shaft such that the cam rotates when the effective shaft rotates, the cam having a cam surface that is shaped to define a force curve where the force curve increases the braking force when the panel is moved in a first direction and decreases the braking force when the panel is moved in a second direction.

10. The variable force brake of claim 9 wherein the slope of the force curve changes over the extent of the cam surface.

11. A variable force brake for a window covering having a shaft operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering the panel, comprising:

a one-way clutch operatively coupled to the shaft;

a brake member operatively engaged with the one-way clutch to apply a brake force to the one-way clutch when the shaft is rotated;

the magnitude of the brake force applied to the one-way clutch being determined by the rotational position of the shaft.

12. The variable force brake of claim 11 wherein a cam rotates when the shaft rotates, the cam moving a cam follower operatively engaged with the brake member to vary the force of the brake against the one-way clutch.

13. The variable force brake of claim 12 wherein the cam follower moves an adjustment mechanism that engages the brake member.

14. The variable force brake of claim 13 wherein the brake member has a first end and a second movable end where the movable end is moved toward the second end to adjust the force applied by the brake member to the one-way clutch by the adjustment mechanism.

15. The variable force brake of claim 14 wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the compression of a spring that exerts a variable force on the brake member.

16. The variable force brake of claim 11 wherein the one-way clutch comprises a first race that defines a brake surface and the brake member is in contact with the brake surface.

17. The operating system of claim 11 wherein the magnitude of the brake force is varied over a range and the range is adjustable.

18. The operating system of claim 11 wherein the one-way clutch comprises a one-way needle bearing comprising a plurality of needle bearings that receive the shaft where the one-way needle bearing is mounted for rotation with the outer race.

19. The variable force brake of claim 11 wherein a cam rotates when the shaft rotates, the cam having a cam surface that is shaped to define a force curve where the force curve increases the braking force when the panel is moved in a first direction and decreases the braking force when the panel is moved in a second direction.

20. The variable force brake of claim 19 wherein the slope of the force curve changes over the extent of the cam surface.