Powered control system for a covering for architectural openings

• US 6,755,230 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2002
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Hunter Douglas Incorporated (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Inventors: Ulatowski, Bogdan R., Holford, Michael S., Skinner, Gary F., Kovach, Joseph E., Jarosinski, Marek
• Primary Examiner(s): LEV, BRUCE ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/124,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20030000653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 160/84.02, 160/168.1 V, 160/168.1 R, 160/170.1 V, 160/170.1 R, 160/173.R, 160/173.V, 160/174.R, 160/174.V, 160/177.R, 160/177.V
• US Class Current: 160/84.02
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/361 Transmissions located at the end of the supporting rail

Abstract

A powered remotely actuated control system adapted for use in a covering system for an architectural opening and a covering system incorporating the control system are described. The control system includes: (1) a translational drive system for selectively moving a vertically-orientated vanes between extended and retracted positions, (ii) an angular drive system for selectively pivoting or rotating the vanes between an opened angular position and a closed angular position; and (iii) a logic system for determining the relative translational and angular positions of the vanes, as well as, decoding and executing commands received from a wireless remote control.

Claims

1. A covering system for an architectural opening, the covering system comprising

at least one guide rail;

at least one vane operatively attached to said at least one guide rail;

a powered control system, said powered control system including

a translational drive system operatively engaging said at least one vane to cause selective translational movement of said at least one vane along said at least one guide rail;

an angular drive system to cause selective rotation of said at least one vane to different angular positions relative to said at least one guide rail; and

a logic system operatively connected to said translational drive system and to said angular drive system to control and monitor translational motion and angular motion of said at least one vane with respect to said at least one guide rail, wherein said different angular positions of said at least one vane include an open position in which said at least one vane is oriented perpendicular to said at least one guide rail, and wherein said logic system is configured to ensure that said at least one vane is in the open position before said translational drive system is activated.

2. The covering system as defined in claim 1, wherein said translational drive system includes a motor operatively connected to at least one gear, said at least one gear operatively connected to said at least one vane to translate said at least one vane along said guide rail.

3. The covering system as defined in claim 1, wherein said translational drive system further includes a motor and a drive cord extending between opposing ends of said guide rail, said drive cord (i) fixedly attached to said at least one vane and (ii) operatively coupled with a rotational shaft of said motor, and wherein movement of said drive cord resulting from activation of said motor causes the translational movement of said at least one vane along said guide rail.

4. The covering system of claim 3, further comprising a cord drive member, the cord drive member being affixed to the shaft of the motor for uniform rotational movement therewith, and the cord drive member being in engagement with the drive cord to effect movement of the drive cord when the motor is activated.

5. The covering system as defined in claim 4, wherein said drive cord comprises a beaded drive cord having a plurality of beaded members deposited along its length, and wherein said cord drive member defines channel for receiving at least a portion of said beaded drive cord in a substantially non-slipping relationship therewith.

6. The covering system as defined in claim 1, wherein said angular drive system includes a motor operatively connected to at least one vane to angularly move said at least one vane relative to said guide rail.

7. The covering system as defined in claim 6, wherein said angular drive system further includes a tilt rod, said motor operatively engaging said tilt rod, and said tilt rod operatively engaging said at least one vane, and wherein movement of the tilt rod resulting from activation of the motor angularly rotates said at least one vane relative to said guide rail.

8. The system as defined in claim 7, further comprising a gear train having one or more gears, the gear train being in operative connection with both a shaft of the motor and the tilt rod.

9. The system as defined in claim 8, wherein said gear train includes a drive gear, a driven gear, and a tilt rod drive unit, said drive gear secured to the shaft said motor for uniform rotation therewith, said driven gear operatively engaging both said drive gear and said tilt rod drive unit, and said tilt rod drive unit operatively engaging said tilt rod.

10. The covering system as defined in claim 1, wherein said powered control system is contained in a housing and attached to one end of said guide rail.

11. The covering system as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one guide rail extends substantially horizontally, and wherein said at least one vane extends substantially orthogonal from said guide rail.

12. A covering system for an architectural opening, the covering system comprising

a headrail;

at least one tilt rod rotatably mounted with respect to said headrail;

at least one carrier operatively mounted on said tilt rod to allow said carrier to translationally move along said tilt rod;

a hanger pin pivotally attached to said at least one carrier;

a first gear train operatively associated with said at least one carrier and operatively attached between said tilt rod and said hanger pin;

at least one vane operatively attached to said hanger pin;

a drive cord formed in a loop and extending along said headrail, said at least one carrier being attached to said drive cord;

a powered control system, said powered control system including

a translational drive system operatively engaging said drive cord for selective translational movement of said at least one vane along said headrail;

an angular drive system operatively engaging said tilt rod to cause selective rotation of said at least one vane to different angular positions relative to said headrail; and

a logic system operatively connected to said translational drive system and to said angular drive system to control and monitor the translational motion and angular motion of said at least one vane with respect to said headrail.

13. The covering system as defined in claim 12, wherein said translational drive system includes a motor operatively connected to at least one gear, said at least one gear operatively connected to said at least one vane to translate said vane along said headrail.

14. The covering system as defined in claim 13, wherein said translational drive system further includes a cord drive member operatively attached to said motor and to said drive cord, and said drive cord operatively attached to said at least one vane, and wherein said logic system energizes said motor to rotate said cord drive member to move said drive cord and cause the selective translational movement of said vane along said headrail.

15. The system as defined in claim 14, wherein said drive cord is a beaded drive cord, and wherein said cord drive member is a beaded cord drive member defining a beaded cord drive channel for receiving at least a portion of said beaded drive cord.

16. The system as defined in claim 12, wherein said angular drive system includes a motor operatively connected to a gear train, said gear train operatively connected to at least one vane to angularly move said vane relative to said headrail.

17. The system as defined in claim 16, wherein said angular drive system further includes a second gear train, said motor operatively engaging said second gear train, and said second gear train operatively engaging said tilt rod, and said tilt rod operatively engaging said first gear train, and wherein said logic system energizes said motor to actuate said second gear train to rotate said tilt rod to angularly rotate said vane relative to said guide rail.

18. The system as defined in claim 17, wherein said second gear train includes a drive gear, a driven gear, and a tilt rod drive unit, said drive gear operatively engaging said motor and said driven gear, said driven gear operatively engaging said tilt rod drive unit, and said tilt rod drive unit operatively engaging said tilt rod.

19. The system as defined in claim 12, wherein said powered control system is contained in a housing and suspended from one end of said headrail.

20. The system as defined in claim 12, wherein said headrail extends horizontally, and wherein said at least one vane extends orthogonally from said headrail.

21. A covering system for an architectural opening comprising

a headrail;

at least one vane coupled to the headrail for translational movement along the headrail;

a motorized drive system for translationally moving the at least one vane along the headrail, wherein the motorized drive system includes

a motor having an output shaft;

a cord drive member operatively coupled to the output shaft, wherein the cord drive member includes at least one tab that extend radially outwardly from a body of the cord drive member; and

a drive cord extending from a first end of the headrail to a second end of the headrail, the drive cord being operatively coupled to the cord drive member and to the at least one vane, wherein activation of the motor rotates the cord drive member which moves the drive cord which causes the at least one vane to move translationally along the headrail;

a logic system operatively coupled to the motorized drive system, wherein the logic system is adapted to determine the translational position of the at least one vane along the headrail and to control the translational movement of the at least one vane responsive to input from a user; and

a sensor electrically coupled with the logic system, wherein said at least one tab that extend radially outwardly from said body of said drive member pass in close proximity to the sensor, whereby the sensor can determine movement of the drive cord.

22. The covering system of claim 21, wherein the drive cord comprises a continuous looped drive cord having a plurality of bead structures attached thereto.

23. The covering system of claim 22, wherein said cord drive member has a channel formed therein, the channel including at least one pocket, each pocket of said at least one pocket being sized to receive one of the bead structures.

24. The covering system of claim 23, wherein the drive cord is looped around a pulley proximate the first end of the headrail and is looped around the cord drive member proximate the second end of the headrail, with a portion of the drive cord received in the channel.

25. The covering system of claim 23, wherein the cord drive member is attached to the output shaft for uniform rotational movement with the output shaft.

26. The covering system of claim 25, wherein the cord drive member further includes a keyed recess corresponding to the outer shape of the output shaft to rotationally affix the cord drive member to the output shaft.

27. The covering system of claim 21, wherein the sensor transmits a signal to the logic system each time a tab of the at least one tab passes in close proximity to the sensor, and wherein the logic system determines the position of the at least one vane based at least partially on the signal.

28. The covering system of claim 21, wherein the at least one vane is coupled to the headrail by a carrier, the carrier being adapted for translational movement along the headrail, and wherein the drive cord is fixedly secured to the carrier.

29. The covering system of claim 21, wherein the logic system comprises a microprocessor.

30. The covering system of claim 29, wherein the microprocessor is a programmable integrated circuit.

31. The covering system of claim 29, wherein the logic system further comprises a wireless receiver for receiving signals directing the translational movement of the at least one vane from a remote control.

32. The covering system of claim 31, wherein the receiver is a infrared receiver.

33. The covering system of claim 21, wherein the motor and the logic system are substantially contained within and supported by a housing structure, the housing structure being connected with the second end of the headrail.

34. The covering system of claim 33, wherein the housing structure is connected to the second end of the headrail by a connector bracket, the connector bracket being fixedly secured to both the headrail and the housing structure.

35. The covering system of claim 21, wherein the at least one vane includes a plurality of vanes, each vane being associated with a carrier of a plurality of carriers, each carrier being coupled to the headrail, only one carrier of the plurality of carriers being fixedly attached to the drive cord, the other carriers of the plurality of carriers being coupled with the one carrier and each other carrier by a pantograph structure.

36. The covering system of claim 21, wherein the drive cord comprises a loop extending from the first end to the second end of the headrail, wherein said loop has a first side and a second side, and wherein the at least one vane includes a plurality of vanes, the of said plurality of vanes being associated with a carrier of a plurality of carriers, each carrier of said plurality of carriers being coupled to the headrail, and wherein a first carrier of said plurality of carriers is attached to said first side of said loop, and wherein a second carrier of said plurality of carriers is attached to said second side of said loop and is adjacent to said first carrier, and wherein the carriers of the plurality of carriers other than said first and second carriers are coupled with either said first carrier or said second carrier by a pantograph structure.

37. A covering system for an architectural opening, the covering system comprising:

a headrail having a length;

an elongated tilt rod having a longitudinal axis and extending substantially the length of the headrail;

at least one vane coupled to said tilt rod;

a motorized drive system comprising a motor having an output shaft operatively coupled to said tilt rod by one or more gears for rotating said tilt rod about its said longitudinal axis and thereby pivoting the at least one vane about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being one of a longitudinal axis of the vane and an axis proximate and substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vane, wherein the motor is vertically orientated with the output shaft of the motor being rotational about a longitudinal axis of the motor, wherein the tilt rod is horizontally-orientated, and wherein the one or more gears convert the vertical rotation of the output shaft into horizontal rotation of the tilt rod; and

a logic system operatively coupled to the motorized drive system, the logic system adapted to determine the pivotal position of the at least one vane and to control the pivotal movement of the at least one vane responsive to input from a user.

38. The covering system of claim 37, wherein the one or more ears include (i) a drive gear coupled to the output shaft of the motor for unitary motion therewith, (ii) a slave gear meshed with the drive gear for rotation therewith, the slave gear including a worm gear formed thereon, and (iii) a tilt rod drive unit, the tilt rod drive unit including gear teeth meshed with the worm gear and a recess keyed to an outer shape of the tilt rod for receiving the tilt rod therein.

39. The covering system of claim 37, wherein the logic system comprises a microprocessor.

40. The covering system of claim 39, wherein the microprocessor is a programmable integrated circuit.

41. The covering system of claim 39, wherein the logic system further comprises a wireless receiver for receiving signals directing the pivotal movement of the at least one vane from a remote control.

42. The covering system of claim 41, wherein the receiver is an infrared receiver.

43. The covering system of claim 37, wherein the motor and the logic system are substantially contained within and supported by a housing structure, the housing structure being connected with the headrail.

44. The covering system of claim 43, wherein the headrail includes two ends and the housing structure is connected to one end of the headrail by a connector bracket, the connector bracket being fixedly secured to both the headrail and the housing structure.

45. The covering system of claim 37, further comprising a tilt rod drive unit, the tilt rod drive unit having (1) generally cylindrical body with opposite first and second ends, (2) gear teeth formed on the exterior of the body, the gear teeth configured for meshing with the one or more gears, and (3) a recessed cavity keyed to an external shape of the tilt rod in the first end for receiving the tilt rod therein and rotating unitarily therewith.

46. The covering system of claim 45, wherein the motor and the logic system are substantially contained within and supported by a housing structure, the housing structure including a generally u-shaped slot, and wherein the generally cylindrical body further includes a inwardly extending circumferential recess, the diameter of the generally cylindrical body being greater than the spacing between legs of the u-shaped slot and the diameter of the circumferential recess being less than the spacing between the legs of the u-shaped slot, the tilt rod drive unit being rotatably received into the u-shaped slot at the circumferential recess.

47. The covering system of claim 46 wherein the housing structure includes a positioning tang, the positioning tang extending upwardly from a bottom side of the housing structure and having an arcuate top end, and wherein cylindrical body proximate the second end is supported by the positioning tang.

48. The covering system of claim 45, further comprising a sensor electrically coupled with the logic system for measuring the extent of rotational movement of the tilt rod drive unit.

49. A covering system for an architectural opening comprising:

a headrail;

at least one vane operatively coupled to the headrail;

a first motorized drive system for pivoting the at least one vane about an axis, the axis being one of a longitudinal axis of the vane and an axis substantially parallel and proximate with the longitudinal axis of the vane;

a second motorized drive system for translationally moving the vane along the headrail;

a logic system operatively coupled to the first and second motorized drive systems, the logic system being adapted to determine both a pivotal position of the vane and a translational position of the vane along the headrail, and the logic system further being adapted to control pivotal movement and translational movement of the at least one vane responsive to input from a user, wherein said pivotal position of said at least one vane includes an open position in which said at least one vane is oriented perpendicular to said headrail, and wherein said logic system is configured to ensure that said at least one vane is in said open position before said second motorized drive system is activated.

50. The covering system of claim 49, further comprising:

a tilt rod extending substantially the entire length of the headrail; and

at least one carrier, the at least one carrier being coupled to the headrail and to the tilt rod for translational movement relative to both the headrail and the tilt rod;

wherein the first motorized drive system includes a first motor and one or more gears for operatively coupling the first motor to said tilt rod, the tilt rod being operatively coupled to the at least one vane through a gear train in the carrier, activation of the motor causing the tilt rod to rotate and the at least one vane to pivot.

51. The covering system of claim 50, further comprising:

a looped drive cord; and

a cord drive member, the cord drive member being (i) coupled to a shaft of a second motor of the second motorized drive system for rotational motion therewith and (ii) operatively coupled to the drive cord for moving a section of the drive cord between a first location proximate a first end of the headrail to a second location proximate a second end of the headrail;

wherein the at least one carrier is attached to the section of the drive cord.

52. The covering system of claim 51, further including a translational sensor coupled with the logic system for measuring the rotation of the second motor, and wherein the logic system utilizes signals from the translational sensor to determine the translational position of the at least one vane on the headrail.

53. The covering system of claim 52, further including an angular sensor coupled with the logic system for measuring the rotation of the tilt rod, and wherein the logic system utilizes signals from the angular sensor to determine the angular position of the at least one vane relative to the headrail.

54. The covering system of claim 49, further including an angular sensor coupled with the logic system for measuring the rotation of the tilt rod, and wherein the logic system utilizes signals from the angular sensor to determine the angular position of the at least one vane relative to the headrail.

55. The covering system of claim 49, wherein the logic system is electronic.

56. The covering system of claim 55, wherein the logic system includes a microprocessor.

57. The covering system of claim 56, wherein the microprocessor is a programmable integrated circuit.

58. The covering system of claim 56, wherein the logic system includes a wireless receiver to receive command signals from a remote control.

59. The covering system of claim 58, wherein the receiver is an infrared receiver.

60. The covering system of claim 59, wherein the infrared receiver comprises a fiber optic cable.

61. The covering system of claim 58, wherein the logic system activates one of the first and second motorized drive systems responsive to commands received from the remote control.

62. A control system for controlling the translational movement of at least one vane of a covering system for an architectural opening, the covering system including a headrail with first and second ends, a tilt rod extending longitudinally substantially the length of the headrail, at least one carrier slidably coupled to the headrail and the tilt rod, and the at least one vane depending from the carrier, the control system comprising:

a translational drive system including a first motor, a drive cord, and a cord drive member, the cord drive member being operatively coupled to a shaft of the first motor for rotational movement therewith and being operatively coupled to the drive cord to move the drive cord, the drive cord being adapted for coupling to said at least one carrier to translationally move said carrier and said vane along said headrail;

a logic system including a microprocessor;

a translational sensor coupled to the logic system; and

a wireless receiver coupled to the logic system;

wherein the translational sensor is for measuring the rotation of the first motor and sending signals related thereto to the microprocessor, the wireless receiver is adapted for receiving command signals from a remote control, and the microprocessor is configured to (1) compute the position of said at least one vane based at least partially on the signals from the translational sensor, and (2) activate and control the operation of the first motor based on command signals received by the wireless receiver.

63. The control system of claim 62, further comprising a housing structure wherein the first motor, the logic system and the cord drive member are substantially contained within the housing structure.

64. The control system of claim 63, wherein the housing structure is adapted for retrofitting an existing covering system for an architectural opening.

65. The control system of claim 63, further comprising a connector bracket, the connector bracket being adapted to be fixedly secured to the housing structure and said headrail.

66. The control system of claim 62, further comprising:

an angular drive system, the angular drive system including a second motor, a tilt rod drive unit for operatively coupling with said tilt rod, one or more gears operatively coupling the second motor with the tilt rod drive unit for transferring rotational motion from a shaft of the second motor to the tilt rod drive unit; and

wherein the control system further comprises an angular position sensor for measuring the rotation of the tilt rod drive unit and sending signals related thereto to the microprocessor, and wherein the microprocessor is further configured to (1) compute the angular position of said at least one vane relative to said headrail based at least partially on the signals from the angular position sensor, and (2) activate and control the operation of the second motor based on command signals received by the wireless receiver.

67. A control system for controlling the angular pivotal movement of at least one vane of a covering system for an architectural opening, the covering system including a headrail with first and second ends, a tilt rod extending longitudinally substantially the length of the headrail, at least one carrier slidably coupled to the headrail and the tilt rod, and the at least one vane depending from the carrier, the at least one vane being adapted for pivotal movement when the tilt rod is rotated, the control system comprising:

an angular drive system, the angular drive system including a first motor, a tilt rod drive unit for operatively coupling with said tilt rod, one or more gears operatively coupling the first motor with the tilt rod drive unit for transferring rotational motion from a shaft of the first motor to the tilt rod drive unit; and

a logic system including a microprocessor;

an angular position sensor coupled to the logic system; and

a wireless receiver;

wherein the angular position sensor is adapted for measuring the rotation of the tilt rod drive unit and sending signals related thereto to the microprocessor, the wireless receiver is adapted for receiving command signals from a remote control, and the microprocessor is configured to (1) compute the angular position of said at least one vane relative to said headrail based at least partially on the signals from the angular position sensor, and (2) activate and control the operation of the first motor based on command signals received by the wireless receiver.

68. The control system of claim 67, further comprising a housing structure wherein the first motor, the logic system and at least a substantial portion of the tilt rod drive are contained within the housing structure.

69. The control system of claim 68, wherein the housing structure is adapted for retrofitting an existing covering system for an architectural opening.

70. The control system of claim 68, further comprising a connector bracket, the connector bracket being adapted to be fixedly secured to the housing structure and said headrail.

71. The control system of claim 68, further comprising:

a translational drive system including a second motor, a drive cord, and a cord drive member, the cord drive member being operatively coupled to a shaft of the second motor for rotational movement therewith and being operatively coupled to the drive cord to move the drive cord, the drive cord being adapted for coupling to said at least one carrier to translationally move said at least one carrier and said at least one vane along said headrail; and

a translational sensor for measuring the rotation of the second motor and sending signals related thereto to the microprocessor; and

wherein the microprocessor is further configured to (1) compute the position of said at least one vane based at least partially on the signals from the translational sensor, and (2) activate and control the operation of the second motor based on command signals received by the wireless receiver.

72. A method of operating a control system for a covering system for an architectural opening, the covering system including a headrail and at least one vane depending from the headrail, the control system including (i) a translational drive system for moving the at least one vane translationally along the headrail from a retracted position to an extended position, (ii) an angular drive system for pivoting the at least one vane between open and closed angular positions, (iii) a logic system, and (iv) a plurality of sensors for receiving signals from the translational drive system, the angular drive system, and a remote control, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a remote control;

determining a command by decoding the signal from the remote control; and

activating one of the translational drive system and the angular drive system based on the command to either move the at least one vane translationally along the headrail or pivot the at least one vane between the open and closed positions, wherein the method further comprises ensuring activating said translational system is subject to prior detecting and controlling the angular position of said angular drive system.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the translational drive system is activated to move the at least one vane translationally along the headrail, and wherein the method further comprises:

automatically deactivating the translational drive system when a limit is reached, the limit being one of the at least one vane being in the retracted position and the at least one vane being in the extended position.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the angular drive system is activated to pivot the at least one vane between open an closed positions and wherein the method further comprises:

automatically deactivating the angular drive system when the vane is pivoted into one of the open and closed positions.

75. The method of claim 72, further comprising:

sampling for signals from a wireless remote for a first predetermined period of time; and

if no signal from the wireless remote is received,

(i) setting and alarm for a second predetermined period of time,

(ii) entering sleep mode for the second predetermined period of time wherein no sampling is preformed while in sleep mode, and

(iii) waking from sleep mode at the expiration of the second predetermined period of time.

76. The method of claim 72, wherein the signal from the remote control comprises a start bit, a channel bit and a direction bit, wherein the start bit is utilized by the control system to synchronize with the remote control, the channel bit indicates whether at least one vane is to be pivoted or moved translationally, and the direction bit indicates the direction the at least one vane is to be moved.

77. A covering system for an architectural opening comprising:

a headrail;

at least one vane coupled to the headrail;

a motorized drive system for pivoting the at least one vane about an axis, the axis being one of a longitudinal axis of the vane and an axis proximate and substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vane;

a logic system operatively coupled to the motorized drive system, the logic system adapted to determine the pivotal position of the vane and to control the pivotal movement of the vane responsive to input from a user;

an elongated tilt rod extending substantially the length of the headrail, wherein the motorized drive system includes a motor and one or more gears for operatively coupling to the tilt rod permitting the tilt rod to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the tilt rod, and wherein the motor is substantially vertically orientated with a shaft of the motor being rotational about a longitudinal axis of the motor, and the tilt rod is substantially horizontally-orientated, and wherein the one or more gears convert the substantially vertical rotation of the shaft into substantially horizontal rotation of the tilt rod; and

a tilt rod drive unit, the tilt rod drive unit having (1) generally cylindrical body with opposite first and second ends, (2) gear teeth formed on the exterior of the body, the gear teeth configured for meshing with the one or more gears, (3) a recessed cavity keyed to an external shape of the tilt rod in the first end for receiving the tilt rod therein and rotating unitarily therewith, wherein the tilt rod drive unit further includes a indicator flange extending radially from the generally cylindrical body over generally one half a circumference of the generally cylindrical body, the indicator flange having first and second radially-extending edges.

78. The covering system of claim 77, further comprising a sensor electrically coupled with the logic system for measuring the extent of rotational movement of the tilt rod drive unit, wherein the indicator flange passes one of between, over, and under the sensor in close proximity therewith.

79. The covering system of claim 78, wherein the sensor sends a signal to the logic system when either the first or second radially-extending edges passes one of between, over, and under the sensor in close proximity therewith.

80. The covering system of claim 79, wherein when the first radially-extending edge passes the sensor the vane is in an open position, and wherein when the second radially-extending edge passes the sensor the vane is in a closed position, the closed position being approximately perpendicular to the open position.

81. The covering system of claim 79, wherein when the first radially-extending edge passes the sensor the vane is in an open position, and wherein when the third radially-extending edge passes the sensor the vane is in a closed position, the closed position being approximately perpendicular to the open position.

82. A covering system for an architectural opening comprising:

a headrail;

at least one vane coupled to the headrail;

a motorized drive system for pivoting the at least one vane about an axis, the axis being one of a longitudinal axis of the vane and an axis proximate and substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vane;

a logic system operatively coupled to the motorized drive system, the logic system adapted to determine the pivotal position of the vane and to control the pivotal movement of the vane responsive to input from a user;

an elongated tilt rod extending substantially the length of the headrail, wherein the motorized drive system includes a motor and one or more gears for operatively coupling to the tilt rod permitting the tilt rod to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the tilt rod, and wherein the motor is substantially vertically orientated with a shaft of the motor being rotational about a longitudinal axis of the motor, and the tilt rod is substantially horizontally-orientated, and wherein the one or more gears convert the substantially vertical rotation of the shaft into substantially horizontal rotation of the tilt rod; and

a tilt rod drive unit, the tilt rod drive unit having (1) generally cylindrical body with opposite first and second ends, (2) gear teeth formed on the exterior of the body, the gear teeth configured for meshing with the one or more gears, (3) a recessed cavity keyed to an external shape of the tilt rod in the first end for receiving the tilt rod therein and rotating unitarily therewith, wherein the tilt rod drive unit further includes first and second indicator flanges extending radially from the generally cylindrical body, each extending over generally one quarter the circumference of the generally cylindrical body, the first indicator flange being generally directly opposite the second indicator flange, the first indicator flange having first and second radially-extending edges, and the second indicator flange having third and forth radially-extending edges, the first and third radially-extending edges being radially substantially collinear and opposite each other.

83. The covering system of claim 82, further comprising a sensor electrically coupled with the logic system for measuring the extent of rotational movement of the tilt rod drive unit, wherein the first and second indicator flanges pass one of between, over, and under the sensor in close proximity therewith during rotation of the tilt rod drive unit.

84. The covering system of claim 83, wherein the sensor sends a signal to the logic system when either the first, second, third or forth radially-extending edges passes one of between, over, and under the sensor in close proximity therewith.