Intelligent outdoor sun shading device

• US 8,061,374 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2008
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oliver Joen-An Ma
• Original Assignee: Oliver Joen-An Ma
• Inventors: Li, Wanda Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Hawk; Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US12/315,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20100132751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 35/16, 35/203, 35/96, 135/16, 135/20.3, 135/96
• US Class Current: 135/16
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0043 the support arm being attached to the stick or to runner, the canopy being suspended there above
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1009 combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 23/00 Other umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/00 Sticks combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/08 with measuring or weighing appliances
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/04 with material fixed on sections of a collapsible frame especially Florentine blinds
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/0659 Control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/0681 Support posts for the movable end of the blind
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/24 Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings

Abstract

An intelligent outdoor sun shading device includes a shading system, an environmental sensor device and a functional controller. The shading system includes a supporting frame, a power source supported at the supporting frame, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by the supporting frame, and a sun shelter mounted to the awning frame to define a shading area under the sun shelter. The environmental sensor device is electrically linked to the power source and is installed to the shading system for detecting an environmental change of the shading system in responsive to the shading area thereof. The functional controller is electrically linked to the environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled the awning frame of the shading system, wherein when the functional controller receives a command signal from the environmental sensor device, the awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate the shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of the shading system.

Claims

1. An intelligent outdoor sun shading device, comprising:

a shading system which comprises a supporting frame, a power source supported at said supporting frame, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by said supporting frame, and a sun shelter mounted to said awning frame to define a shading area under said sun shelter;

an environmental sensor device which is electrically linked to said power source and is installed to said shading system for detecting an environmental change of said shading system; and

a functional controller which is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled said awning frame of said shading system, wherein when said functional controller receives a command signal from said environmental sensor device, said awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate said shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of said shading system, wherein said functional controller comprises an electric servo which is electrically linked to said power source and is operatively controlled by said functional controller to automatically and selectively actuate said awning frame between an unfolded position that said sun shelter is expanded to maximize said shading area thereof, and a folded position that said sun shelter is folded up to minimize said shading area thereof;

wherein said shading system further comprises an angular joint coupling said awning frame with said supporting frame, wherein said awning frame is operatively controlled by said functional controller to selectively adjust an orientation of said awning frame through said angular joint such that said sun shelter is adjusted to face towards the direction of the sun for maximizing a shading effect of said sun shelter;

wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a sunlight detector which is installed on top of said shading system and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said sunlight detector detects the direction of the sun, said sun shelter is adjusted to face towards the direction of the sun;

wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a wind detector which is mounted on top of said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said wind detector detects the direction of the wind, said sun shelter is adjusted to minimize a wind loading on said sun shelter, wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a motion detector which is installed to said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said motion detector detects the presence of a user within a detection area, said sun shelter is actuated to fold at said unfolded position.

2. The intelligent outdoor sun shading device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said shading system further comprises a light module supported at said awning frame for illuminating said shading area, wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a photosensor which is mounted at said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said light module, such that when said photosensor detects a light level of an environment of said shading system being lower than a preset light level threshold, said light module is activated for illumination.

3. The intelligent outdoor sun shading device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said shading system further comprises a sound module which is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is supported at said awning frame for generating an audio effect within said shading area, wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a movement sensor detecting said awning frame at said unfolded and folded positions, such that when said movement sensor detects said awning frame at said unfolded position, said sound module is automatically activated for generating said audio effect, and when said movement sensor detects said awning frame at said folded position, said sound module is automatically deactivated.

4. The intelligent outdoor sun shading device, as recited in claim 3, wherein said environmental sensor device further comprises a voice activator which is installed to said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said sound module, such that when said voice activator detects an audio command, said sound module is activated for generating said audio effect.

5. The intelligent outdoor sun shading device, as recited in claim 3, wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a range detector which is installed to said awning frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said range detector detects the presence of a user within an awning folding range at the time said awning frame is being folded to said unfolded position, said electric servo is automatically deactivated to stop said awning frame being folded to said unfolded position.

6. An intelligent outdoor sun shading device, comprising:

a shading system which comprises a sound module, a supporting frame, a power source supported at said supporting frame, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by said supporting frame, and a sun shelter mounted to said awning frame to define a shading area under said sun shelter;

an environmental sensor device which is electrically linked to said power source and is installed to said shading system for detecting an environmental change of said shading system; and

a functional controller which is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled said awning frame of said shading system, wherein when said functional controller receives a command signal from said environmental sensor device, said awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate said shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of said shading system, wherein said functional controller comprises an electric servo which is electrically linked to said power source and is operatively controlled by said functional controller to automatically and selectively actuate said awning frame between an unfolded position that said sun shelter is expanded to maximize said shading area thereof, and a folded position that said sun shelter is folded up to minimize said shading area thereof;

wherein said shading system further comprises a light module and an angular joint coupling said awning frame with said supporting frame, wherein said awning frame is operatively controlled by said functional controller to selectively adjust an orientation of said awning frame through said angular joint such that said sun shelter is adjusted to face towards the direction of the sun for maximizing a shading effect of said sun shelter;

wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a sunlight detector which is installed on top of said shading system and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said sunlight detector detects the direction of the sun, said sun shelter is adjusted to face towards the direction of the sun;

wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a range detector, a movement sensor, a photosensor and a wind detector which is mounted on top of said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said wind detector detects the direction of the wind, said sun shelter is adjusted to minimize a wind loading on said sun shelter, wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a motion detector which is installed to said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said motion detector detects the presence of a user within a detection area, said sun shelter is actuated to fold at said unfolded position, wherein said light module is supported at said awning frame for illuminating said shading area, wherein said photosensor is mounted at said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said light module, such that when said photosensor detects a light level of an environment of said shading system being lower than a preset light level threshold, said light module is activated for illumination,

wherein said sound module is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is supported at said awning frame for generating an audio effect within said shading area, wherein said movement sensor is arranged to detect said awning frame at said unfolded and folded positions, such that when said movement sensor detects said awning frame at said unfolded position, said sound module is automatically activated for generating said audio effect, and when said movement sensor detects said awning frame at said folded position, said sound module is automatically deactivated,

wherein said range detector is installed to said awning frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said range detector detects the presence of a user within an awning folding range at the time said awning frame is being folded to said unfolded position, said electric servo is automatically deactivated to stop said awning frame being folded to said unfolded position, wherein said power source comprises at least a solar energy collecting panel supported above said shading system for collecting a solar energy and converting said solar energy into electrical energy, and a storage battery linked to said solar energy collecting panel for storing said electrical energy to supply said functional controller.

7. An intelligent outdoor sun shading device, comprising:

a shading system which comprises a supporting frame, a power source supported at said supporting frame, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by said supporting frame, and a sun shelter mounted to said awning frame to define a shading area under said sun shelter;

an environmental sensor device which is electrically linked to said power source and is installed to said shading system for detecting an environmental change of said shading area; and

a functional controller which is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled said awning frame of said shading system, wherein when said functional controller receives a command signal from said environmental sensor device, said awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate said shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of said shading system;

wherein said functional controller comprises an electric servo which is electrically linked to said power source and is operatively controlled by said functional controller to automatically and selectively actuate said awning frame between an unfolded position that said sun shelter is expanded to maximize said shading area thereof, and a folded position that said sun shelter is folded up to minimize said shading area thereof;

wherein said shading system further comprises an angular joint coupling said awning frame with said supporting frame, wherein said awning frame is operatively controlled by said functional controller to selectively adjust an orientation of said awning frame through said angular joint such that said sun shelter is adjusted to face towards the direction of the sun for maximizing a shading effect of said sun shelter;

wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a motion detector which is installed to said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said motion detector detects the presence of a user within a detection area, said sun shelter is actuated to fold at said unfolded position.

8. An intelligent outdoor sun shading device, comprising:

a shading system which comprises a supporting frame, a power source supported at said supporting frame, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by said supporting frame, and a sun shelter mounted to said awning frame to define a shading area under said sun shelter;

an environmental sensor device which is electrically linked to said power source and is installed to said shading system for detecting an environmental change of said shading area; and

a functional controller which is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled said awning frame of said shading system, wherein when said functional controller receives a command signal from said environmental sensor device, said awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate said shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of said shading system;

wherein said functional controller comprises an electric servo which is electrically linked to said power source and is operatively controlled by said functional controller to automatically and selectively actuate said awning frame between an unfolded position that said sun shelter is expanded to maximize said shading area thereof, and a folded position that said sun shelter is folded up to minimize said shading area thereof;

wherein said shading system further comprises an angular joint coupling said awning frame with said supporting frame, wherein said awning frame is operatively controlled by said functional controller to selectively adjust an orientation of said awning frame through said angular joint such that said sun shelter is adjusted to face towards the direction of the sun for maximizing a shading effect of said sun shelter;

wherein said shading system further comprises a sound module which is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is supported at said awning frame for generating an audio effect within said shading area, wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a movement sensor detecting said awning frame at said unfolded and folded positions, such that when said movement sensor detects said awning frame at said unfolded position, said sound module is automatically activated for generating said audio effect, and when said movement sensor detects said awning frame at said folded position, said sound module is automatically deactivated.

9. The intelligent outdoor sun shading device, as recited in claim 8, wherein said environmental sensor device further comprises a voice activator which is installed to said supporting frame and is electrically linked to said sound module, such that when said voice activator detects an audio command, said sound module is activated for generating said audio effect.

10. An intelligent outdoor sun shading device, comprising:

a shading system which comprises a supporting frame, a power source supported at said supporting frame, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by said supporting frame, and a sun shelter mounted to said awning frame to define a shading area under said sun shelter;

an environmental sensor device which is electrically linked to said power source and is installed to said shading system for detecting an environmental change of said shading area; and

a functional controller which is electrically linked to said environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled said awning frame of said shading system, wherein when said functional controller receives a command signal from said environmental sensor device, said awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate said shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of said shading system;

wherein said functional controller comprises an electric servo which is electrically linked to said power source and is operatively controlled by said functional controller to automatically and selectively actuate said awning frame between an unfolded position that said sun shelter is expanded to maximize said shading area thereof, and a folded position that said sun shelter is folded up to minimize said shading area thereof;

wherein said shading system further comprises an angular joint coupling said awning frame with said supporting frame, wherein said awning frame is operatively controlled by said functional controller to selectively adjust an orientation of said awning frame through said angular joint such that said sun shelter is adjusted to face towards the direction of the sun for maximizing a shading effect of said sun shelter;

wherein said environmental sensor device comprises a range detector which is installed to said awning frame and is electrically linked to said electric servo, such that when said range detector detects the presence of a user within an awning folding range at the time said awning frame is being folded to said unfolded position, said electric servo is automatically deactivated to stop said awning frame being folded to said unfolded position.