Device for rolling up/rolling down a shade

Abstract

A device for winding or unwinding of a shade includes a single drive motor having a drive shaft over which transmission devices can be slit. Each transmission device can operate a substantially horizontal tube which is movable with winding or unwinding of the shade upwardly or downwardly. The transmission devices have a slip coupling which can be blocked electrically and mechanically. In the blocked condition of the transmission device the tube is stationary whilst the drive shaft can keep rotating for operating of further non-blocked tubes. The tubes can be stopped in any desired position for more or less winding or unwinding the related shade whilst only a single drive motor is necessary.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . Device for rolling up/rolling down two shades to/from a respective rotatable tube, comprising a single drive motor, a transmission providing connection between said drive motor and each of said tubes, a coupling being provided between one of said tubes and said drive motor, said coupling comprising an electrically operatable clutch, which can be switched between an uncoupled and coupled position by operating means for said clutch, a control unit being provided having an input for signals with regard to parameters of the surroundings, such as temperature, light, moisture, wind force and the like, and/or with regard to the condition of the shade, such as unrolled length and the like, for controlling said operating means.  
   
   
       21 . Device according to  claim 20 , wherein the operating means comprise memory means for storing data with regard to the position of the tube and/or the length of the unrolled shade dependent from the values associated with parameters of the surrounding and/or the condition of the shade.  
   
   
       22 . Device according to  claim 20 , wherein the clutch comprises a slip clutch and the operating means are embodied by transferring the slip clutch in unclutched condition by slipping.  
   
   
       23 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the slip clutch can be slipped in both rotational directions.  
   
   
       24 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the slip clutch comprises at least two slip clutch parts, a slip clutch part cooperating with the drive shaft and the other slip clutch part cooperating with the tube and having at least a stop portion, said stop portion can be brought into cooperation with the operating means for having the slip clutch slip.  
   
   
       25 . Device according to  claim 23 , wherein said operation means comprising a blocking means, which can selectively be brought in cooperation with the opposite sides of the stop portion seen in the circumferential direction of the slip clutch.  
   
   
       26 . Device according to  claim 25 , wherein said blocking means comprises a double lever having two interconnected lever parts which can each be engageable with the sides of the stop portion.  
   
   
       27 . Device according to  claim 20 , wherein mechanical operation means are provided for coupling/uncoupling of the clutch.  
   
   
       28 . Device according to  claim 27 , wherein the mechanical operating means comprise an arm as well as a stop connected to the frame for operating the arm.  
   
   
       29 . Device according to  claim 20 , wherein the operating means comprise at least a solenoid, servo-motor with screw shaft and the like.  
   
   
       30 . Device according to  claim 28 , wherein the at least one solenoid engages the arm.  
   
   
       31 . Device according to  claim 30 , wherein two solenoids are provided to operate the arm in opposite directions.  
   
   
       32 . Device according to  claim 20 , comprising a frame construction with an upper stationary fastening for said shade and a rotatable tube that is movable in said frame construction to and from said fastening for taking up/letting down shading, and guide means for moving said tube, said drive motor being rigidly connected to said frame, a drive shaft that can be rotated by said drive motor being present between said drive motor and said tube, and a transmission device connected to said tube, movable on said drive shaft in the direction of its axis and not rotatable relative to said frame, is present, in order to transmit the rotary movement of said drive shaft to said tube, said transmission device comprising said electrically operatable clutch.  
   
   
       33 . Device according to  claim 20 , comprising at least a further shade having a further immovable upper fastening and a further rotatable tube which can be displaced in said frame construction to and from said fastening for receiving/dispensing of shade as well as a further transmission device on said drive shaft displaceable in the direction of the axis thereof and non-rotable relative to the frame and connected to said tube, for transmitting of the rotational movement of said drive shaft to said further tube, said further transmission device being provided with a further coupling.  
   
   
       34 . Device according to  claim 20 , wherein the transmission device has at least a rotatable shaft stud and the tube is axially displaceable but not rotatably connected to the shaft stud.  
   
   
       35 . Method for operating a device according to  claim 20  comprising the steps of: 
 determining the value of a parameter of the surrounding parameter such as temperature, light, moisture, wind strength, time and the like,    selecting based on this value(s) a position of the tube and/or the length of the unrolled shade,    energizing the drive for rotating of the tube for unrolling or rolling the shade,    energizing the operating means for slippage of the slip clutch when the desired position of the tube, and/or the desired length of the unrolled shade is reached.    
   
   
       36 . Method according to  claim 35 , comprising the steps of energizing the further operating means for having the further slip clutch slip, when the desired position of the further tube and/or the desired length of the unwinded further shade is obtained.  
   
   
       37 . Method according to  claim 35 , wherein the time of energizing of the different operating means is different.  
   
   
       38 . Method according to  claim 35 , comprising the step of rotating the shaft in opposite direction after obtaining the desired position of the tube and/or the desired unrolled length of the shade, for removing cooperation between the operating means and the stop portion.