Awning control with multidimensional motion sensing
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G05B-019/042
E04F-010/06
출원번호
US-0853299
(2010-08-10)
등록번호
US-8887785
(2014-11-18)
발명자
/ 주소
Goth, Mark
출원인 / 주소
Carefree/Scott Fetzer Co.
대리인 / 주소
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
11인용 특허 :
16
초록▼
An awning control system provides automatic retraction of an extended awning upon detection of awning motion in multiple dimensions caused by windy conditions. The awning control system includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based accelerometer for motion-based auto-retraction. A single,
An awning control system provides automatic retraction of an extended awning upon detection of awning motion in multiple dimensions caused by windy conditions. The awning control system includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based accelerometer for motion-based auto-retraction. A single, combined motion sensor/controller module may be located in the motor head and connected to switches and a 12V power source through wires routed along or within the awning framework. The control system operates by gauging the vertical, horizontal (inward/outward), and lateral motion of the leading edge or lead rail of the awning when in a fully or partially extended position. When persistent motion or gust exceeds preset thresholds, the control system will automatically engage the motor to retract the awning. The control system provides full automatic retraction of the awning unless halted or interrupted by additional user input. Manual switching also controls the extension and retraction of the awning.
대표청구항▼
1. A control system for controlling a motor for a retractable awning comprising a single accelerometer having three signal outputs indicating an acceleration of a leading edge of a retractable awning in three substantially orthogonal directions, each of the three substantially orthogonal directions
1. A control system for controlling a motor for a retractable awning comprising a single accelerometer having three signal outputs indicating an acceleration of a leading edge of a retractable awning in three substantially orthogonal directions, each of the three substantially orthogonal directions corresponding to a respective one of said three signal outputs; anda processor that received the three signal outputs from the single accelerometer and determines, based upon comparison of a weighted average of the three signal outputs to a threshold value, whether to generate a retraction control signal for the motor that operates the retractable awning; whereinthe control system, including both the single accelerometer and the processor, is contained in a single housing which is sized and configured for mounting on the leading edge of the retractable awning. 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the threshold value corresponds to a wind gust condition. 3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the threshold value corresponds to a sustained gale condition. 4. The control system of claim 3, wherein the processor further monitors a length of time of the sustained gale condition and compares the length of time to a threshold time value, which must be exceeded by the length of time before the processor generates the retraction control signal. 5. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a first input lead configured for attachment to a switch for providing an extend signal recognized by the processor as an instruction to cause the motor to extend the retractable awning; and a second input lead configured for attachment to the switch for providing a retract signal recognized by the processor as an instruction to cause the motor to retract the retractable awning; whereinthe processor is configured to both receive and transmit data over either the first input lead, the second input lead, or both. 6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to enter a listening window for a period of time upon power instantiation to received firmware updates or other instructions via the first or second input lead before executing the instruction to cause the motor to extend the retractable awning or the instruction to cause the motor to retract the retractable awning. 7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the accelerometer having three signal outputs indicating an acceleration of a leading edge of a retractable awning in three orthogonal directions comprising a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a lateral direction relative to the leading edge of said retractable awing; said accelerometer further comprising a static component for measuring static acceleration of gravity and a dynamic component for measuring motion in said retractable awning. 8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the threshold value corresponds to a wind gust condition. 9. The control system of claim 7, wherein the threshold value corresponds to a sustained gale condition. 10. The control system of claim 9, wherein the processor further monitors a length of time of the sustained gale condition and compares the length of time to a threshold time value, which must be exceeded by the length of time before the microcontroller generates the retraction control signal. 11. The control system of claim 7, wherein the processor and the accelerometer are elements of a circuit; and the circuit further comprises a current monitor that transmits current draw data measured on a lead to the motor to the processor for determination of a motor stall event; and whereinthe processor is configured to disconnect power to the motor upon determination of a motor stall event. 12. The control system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to restart the motor after a power disconnect to the motor if the retraction control signal was generated in response to the signal outputs from the accelerometer. 13. The control system of claim 1, wherein the processor further stores a maximum retraction time value and is configured to disconnect power to the motor if an actual operation time of the motor during a retraction awning exceeds the maximum retraction time value. 14. A retractable awning comprising a roller;a canopy attached along a first edge to the roller, wherein the canopy furls and unfurls about the roller;a pair of support arms that extend and retract and are mounted at first ends to a stable surface and support the canopy at second ends when the canopy is unfurled and the support arms are extended;a motor that drives the roller to furl and unfurl the canopy about the roller and thereby extend and retract the support arms;a lead rail supported by the second ends of the pair of support arms;a multidimensional motion detector having two or more signal outputs indicating an acceleration of a leading edge of a retractable awning in at least directions; anda microcontroller that receives the signal outputs from the multidimensional motion detector and determines, based upon comparison of the signal outputs to a threshold value, whether to generate a retraction control signal for the motor; whereinthe multidimensional motion detector and the microcontroller are components of a singular motor control unit contained in a single housing and mounted on the lead rail; further wherein the multidimensional motion detector comprises a single accelerometer having three signal outputs indicating an acceleration of a leading edge of the lead rail in three substantially orthogonal directions; andthe microcontroller receives the three signal outputs from the accelerometer and determines, based upon comparison of a weighted average of the signal outputs to the threshold value, whether to generate a retraction control signal for the motor. 15. The retractable awning system of claim 14, wherein the roller and the motor are configured to fixedly mount on or adjacent to the stable surface. 16. The retractable awning system of claim 14, wherein the roller and the motor are supported by the second ends of the pair of support arms adjacent to the lead rail. 17. The retractable awning system of claim 16, wherein the singular motor control unit is mounted in a motor head assembly that houses the motor in linkage with the roller. 18. The retractable awning system of claim 17 further comprising a first input lead configured for attachment to a switch for providing an extend signal recognized by the microcontroller as an instruction to cause the motor to extend the retractable awning; and a second input lead configured for attachment to the switch for providing a retract signal recognized by the microcontroller as an instruction to cause the motor to retract the retractable awning; whereinthe microcontroller is configured to both receive and transmit data over either the first input lead, the second input lead, or both. 19. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control system is a potted device. 20. The control system of claim 14, wherein the singular motor control unit is a potted device. 21. The control system of claim 1, wherein the single accelerometer and the processor of the control system are mounted on a single circuit board. 22. The control system of claim 14, wherein the single accelerometer and the microcontroller of the singular motor control unit are mounted on a single circuit board. 23. The control system of claim 14 wherein said microcontroller further comprises a failsafe counter to resume operation of said motor upon experiencing a motor stall. 24. The control system of claim 14 wherein said microcontroller further comprises an interface for collecting at least one of real-time accelerometer data and historical accelerometer data by a remote personal computer. 25. A control system for controlling a motor for a retractable awning comprising a single accelerometer having three signal outputs indicating an acceleration of a leading edge of a retractable awning in three substantially orthogonal directions, each of the three substantially orthogonal directions corresponding to a respective one of said three signal outputs; anda processor that received the three signal outputs from the single accelerometer and determines, based upon comparison of the three signal outputs to a threshold value, whether to generate a retraction control signal for the motor that operates the retractable awning; whereinthe control system, including both the single accelerometer and the processor, is contained in a single housing which is sized and configured for mounting on the leading edge of the retractable awning; wherein the single accelerometer having three signal outputs indicating an acceleration of a leading edge of a retractable awning in three orthogonal directions comprising a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a lateral direction relative to the leading edge of said retractable awning;said accelerometer further comprising at least one of a static component for measuring static acceleration of gravity and a dynamic component for measuring motion in said retractable awning;the processor receives the three signal outputs from the accelerometer and determines, based upon comparison of a weighted average of the three signal outputs to the threshold value, whether to generate a retraction control signal for the motor that operates the retractable awning.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (16)
Goth,Mark, Apparatus and method for retracting awning.
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