Systems and methods for a motorized vent covering in an environment control system

• US 9,322,569 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Somfy Systems Incorporated (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Harmonic Design Inc.
• Inventors: Scharf, Richard, Heald, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Tompkins, Alissa
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOWNS, BRITTANY E
• Application Number:
  US12/772,900
• Publication Number:
  US 20110269389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,185 Days
• Field of Search: 454/254, 454/258, 454/284, 454/286, 454/289, 454/290, 454/292, 454/152, 454/155, 454/69, 454/196
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/1426 characterised by actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/15 with parallel simultaneously tiltable lamellae
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/1433 with electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/20 Sunlight

Abstract

A motorized vent covering for an air vent of the environment control system, the motorized vent covering comprising an air flow restrictor for controlling air flow through the vent; and an actuator, the actuator including a motor configured to drive the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to provide operating instructions to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the flow of air through the air vent.

Claims

1. An environment control system comprising a window sensor and a motorized vent covering, the motorized vent covering comprising:

an air flow restrictor for controlling the amount of air flow through an air vent; and

an actuator, the actuator including;

a motor driving the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller providing operating instructions to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the amount of air flow through the air flow vent;

wherein the controller determines the operating instructions based at least in part upon a signal output from the window sensor and a daylight sensor,

wherein the window sensor detects whether a window has been opened or closed, and the daylight sensor detects changing light conditions, and

wherein the controller controls room temperature by implementing the operating instructions by controlling the position of window coverings on the window based on the amount of light entering the window and controlling the air flow restrictor between an open, closed, partially opened, and partially closed position corresponding to the signal from the daylight sensor and the status of the window to control the amount of air flow from the vent.

2. The environment control system of claim 1, wherein the actuator further includes a power source configured to supply power to the motor and the controller.

3. The environment control system of claim 2, wherein the power source is a battery.

4. The environment control system of claim 1, wherein the motorized vent covering further comprises a signal sensor configured to receive control signals, and wherein the controller is further configured to control operation of the motor based on the control signals.

5. The environment control system of claim 4, wherein the control signals are infrared control signals.

6. The environment control system of claim 4, wherein the control signals are radio frequency control signals.

7. The environment control system of claim 1, wherein the daylight sensor is coupled with the actuator.

8. The environment control system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled with the controller, and wherein the controller controls operation of the actuator in response to temperature data provided by the temperature sensor.

9. The environment control system of claim 1, wherein the air flow restrictor comprises a plurality of louvers, and wherein the actuator further comprises a shaft coupled with the motor and configured to drive the plurality of louvers.

10. An environment control system comprising a window sensor and a motorized vent covering, the motorized vent covering comprising:

a signal sensor configured to receive control signals;

an air flow restrictor for controlling the amount of air flow through an air vent; and

an actuator, the actuator including;

a motor driving the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller providing operating instructions based on the control signals to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the amount of air flow through the air flow vent;

wherein the controller determines the operating instructions based at least in part upon a signal output from the window sensor and a daylight sensor,

wherein the window sensor detects whether a window has been opened or closed, and the daylight sensor detects changing light conditions,

wherein the controller controls room temperature by implementing the operating instructions by controlling the position of window coverings on the window based on the amount of light entering the window and controlling the air flow restrictor between an open, closed, partially opened, and partially closed position corresponding to the signal from the daylight sensor and the status of the window to control the amount of air flow from the vent.

11. The environment control system of claim 10, wherein the actuator further includes a power source configured to supply power to the motor and the controller.

12. The environment control system of claim 11, wherein the power source is a battery.

13. The environment control system of claim 10, wherein the control signals are infrared control signals.

14. The environment control system of claim 10, wherein the control signals are radio frequency control signals.

15. The environment control system of claim 10, wherein the daylight sensor coupled with the actuator.

16. The environment control system of claim 10, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled with the controller, and wherein the controller controls operation of the actuator in response to temperature data provided by the temperature sensor.

17. The environment control system of claim 10, wherein the air flow restrictor comprises a plurality of louvers, and wherein the actuator further comprises a shaft coupled with the motor and configured to drive the plurality of louvers.