Electronic switch assembly for motorized window system

• US 5,355,059 A
• Filed: 02/18/1993
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation (Tyman Plc)
• Original Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation (Tyman Plc)
• Inventors: McMillan, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US08/018,818
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 318/34, 318/41, 318/49, 318/51, 318/53, 318/54, 318/65, 318/101, 318/102, 318/103, 318/104, 318/112, 318/264, 318/265, 318/266, 318/286, 318/293, 318/434, 318/452, 318/466 , 318/467, 318/468, 318/469, 318/484, 388/907.2, 388/907.5
• US Class Current: 318/103
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/611 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/40 Control units therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/42 for multiple openings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/61 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/21 of identical elements, e.g. of identical compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/148 Windows

Abstract

A universal electrical control selectively drives either plural motorized window operators for opening or closing one or more windows, or a motorized window operator and plural motorized locks for opening, closing and locking a window. The electrical control comprises an interface circuit for connection to plural output devices comprising either motorized window operators or motorized window locks. An input switch commands window movement to an open or close position. A control circuit is connected to the interface circuit and the input switch and includes an initialization mode for determining if each output device is a motorized window operator or a motorized lock, and output drive mode operable in response to a command from the input switch for driving the output devices through the interface circuit in a lock sequence or a window sequence dependent upon the initialization mode respectively determining if a motorized window lock is connected or is not connected to the interface circuit. The lock sequence comprises opening any lock prior to opening the window and closing the window prior to closing the lock. The window sequence comprises driving the plural motorized window operators in a select desired sequence.

Claims

1. A universal electrical control for selectively driving either plural motorized window operators for opening or closing one or more windows or a motorized window operator and plural motorized locks for opening, closing and locking a window, the electrical control comprising:

an interface circuit for connection to plural output devices comprising either motorized window operators or motorized window locks;

input means for commanding window movement to an open or close position;

a control circuit connected to said interface circuit and said input means and including initialization means for determining if each said output device is a motorized window operator or a motorized lock, and output drive means operable in response to a command from said input means for driving said output devices through said interface circuits in a lock sequence or a window sequence dependent on said initialization means respectively determining if a motorized window lock is connected or is not connected to said interface circuit, said lock sequence comprising opening any lock prior to opening the window and closing the window prior to closing the lock, the window sequence comprising driving the plural motorized window operators in a select desired sequence.

2. The electrical control of claim 1 wherein said output drive means drives any said motorized window operator to one of a plurality of select window open positions according to a length of time an open command is received from said input means.

3. The electrical control of claim 1 further comprising a power source and all output devices are powered from said power source.

4. The electrical control of claim 1 further comprising current sense means for sensing current drawn by said interface circuit in powering any said output device.

5. The electrical control of claim 4 wherein said initialization means is operatively associated with said current sense means for driving each said output device and determining if such driven output device is a motorized window operator or a motorized lock in accordance with current sensed by said current sense means.

6. The electrical control of claim 4 wherein said initialization means is operatively associated with said current sense means for driving each said output device to a full open position as determined by sensed current and then driving such output device to a full closed position and then full open position and determining length of time to open or close the window for using in determining window position.

7. The electrical control of claim 4 wherein said output drive means drives any said motorized window operator to a select window open position and further comprising means for varying said select position if a select high current level is sensed prior to the window opening to the select position.

8. An electrical window operator control for driving plural motorized window operators for opening or closing one or more windows or motorized locks for locking a window, the electrical control comprising:

an interface circuit for connection to plural output devices comprising either motorized window operators or motorized window locks;

input means for commanding window movement to an open or close position;

a control circuit connected to said interface circuit and said input means and including initialization means for driving each said output device to cycle said output device to determine time to open or close the window or open or close the lock, said time being used to determine actual position according to subsequent length of time any such output device is driven, and output drive means operable in response to a command from said input means for driving said output devices through said interface circuits until actual position reaches a position commanded by said input means.

9. The electrical control of claim 8 wherein said output drive means drives any said motorized window operator to one of a plurality of select window open positions according to a length of time an open command is received from said input means.

10. The electrical control of claim 8 further comprising a power source and all output devices axe powered from said power source.

11. The electrical control of claim 8 further comprising current sense means for sensing current drawn by said interface circuit in powering any said output device.

12. The electrical control of claim 11 wherein said initialization means is operatively associated with said current sense means for driving each said output device and determining if such driven output device is a motorized window operator or a motorized lock in accordance with current sensed by said current sense means.

13. The electrical control of claim 11 wherein said initialization means is operatively associated with said current sense means for driving each said output device to a full open position as determined by sensed current and then driving such output device to a full closed position and then full open position and determining length of time to open or close the window for using in determining actual window position.

14. The electrical control of claim 11 wherein said output drive means drives any said motorized window operator to a select window open position and further comprising means for varying said select position if a select high current level is sensed prior to the window opening to the select position.

15. A motorized window operator system comprising:

a motorized window operator mountable to a window for opening or closing the window, the window including a sash movable relative to a frame;

a motorized lock mountable to the window for securing the sash closed against the frame;

a bridge circuit for connection to both said motorized window operator and said motorized window lock;

input means for commanding window movement to an open or close position;

a control circuit connected to said bridge circuit and said input means and including position command means for setting a desired window position in response to a command from said input means, and output drive means for driving said motorized window operator and said motorized window lock through said bridge circuit in a select sequence, said sequence comprising opening said lock prior to opening the window to the desired window position and closing the window prior to closing the lock.

16. The motorized window operator system of claim 15 further comprising current sense means for sensing current drawn by said bridge circuit in powering said motorized window operator and said motorized window lock.

17. The motorized window operator system of claim 16 wherein said current sense means is connected to said control circuit and said output drive means is operable to close said window until a high current is sensed by said current sense means.

18. The motorized window operator system of claim 17 wherein said motorized lock includes a switch contact connected in series with said motorized window operator, said switch contact opening to shutoff said motorized operator when said window is closed and said output drive means is deenergized if a loss of current is sensed by said current sense means.

19. The motorized window operator system of claim 18 wherein said motorized lock includes a diode connected across said switch contact so that said output drive means can open said window when said contact is open.