"ELECTRIC DRIVE UNIT FOR ROLL-UP AWNINGS OR BLINDS"

First invention

[0001] The object of a first invention is a drive unit for raising and lowering roll-up awnings or blinds, provided with an irreversibility device.

[0002] Such drive units are widely used to lower or raise a roll-up awning and are usually provided with an irreversibility device that allows the torque generated by the motor to be transmitted to the engagement shaft with the roll-up awning and prevent the torque generated by the roll-up awning, for example due to the weight just when it is raised, from driving the motor in rotation and cause the accidental lowering of the awning.

[0003] There are numerous drive unit solutions provided with irreversibility devices.

[0004] A known solution involves the use of an irreversibility device with electromagnetic actuation. However, such groups have some drawbacks, such as energy consumption due to electromagnetic drive and the tendency to overheat when activated for a prolonged period of time .

[0005] Further solutions, instead, provide a mechanical irreversibility device. Such solutions involve the narrowing or widening of the turns of a propeller spring, which thus scrap against the inner or outer surface of a fixed bush coaxial to such a spring, thus causing the desired resistance to rotation. Such solutions are illustrated, for example, in EP-A-0976909 and EP-A- 2230415.

[0006] Such solutions, however, have some drawbacks, such as assembly difficulties, repeatability of the behaviour, and component reliability.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit with an electric motor and an irreversibility device that meets the requirements of the field and at the same time overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

[0008] Such an object is achieved by a drive unit according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe further embodiments of the invention.

[0009] The features and the advantages of the drive unit according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the following figures, in which:

- figure 1 shows a view in separate parts of a drive unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a side view of the drive unit in figure 1; - figure 3 shows a view of an irreversibility device of the drive unit in figure 1; and

- figure 4 shows a view of an irreversibility device of a drive unit according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] With reference to the accompanying figures 1 to 4, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a drive unit for a roll-up awning or blind, comprising an electric motor 2 suitable for generating a torque along a main axis Z, either directly or via a kinematic transmission.

[0011] The electric motor 2 is arranged at a rear end of the drive unit 1, while at the front end, said drive unit is provided with an engagement shaft 4 rotatable coaxially to said main axis Z for the connection with a winding pin of the roll-up awning or blind.

[0012] The drive unit 1 further comprises a planetary gear configured to reduce the transmission ratio (and thus multiply the torque) from the electric motor 2 towards the engagement shaft 4.

[0013] Preferably, the planetary gear is multistage, consisting of several cascade reduction stages; for example, said planetary gear consists of three reduction stages .

[0014] A downstream reduction stage 10 comprises a first fixed crown 12 provided with inner teeth, first planet wheels 14 that engage with the first crown 12, and a first sun gear 16 arranged coaxially to the main axis Z and engaging with the first planet wheels 14. The first sun gear 16 receives the torque coming from the electric motor (either directly or through a further reduction stage upstream of said downgrade stage) .

[0015] The downstream stage also includes a planet-carrier 20 applicable to the planet wheels 14 and intended to transmit the torque downstream of said upstream stage.

[0016] A downstream reduction stage 30 of the planetary gear placed downstream of the upstream stage 10 comprises a second sun gear 32 rotatable coaxially to the main axis Z and intended to receive the torque from the upstream stage 10, a second fixed crown 33, provided with inner teeth, and second planet wheels 34 which engage with the second crown; the second sun gear 32 engages with the second planet wheels 34.

[0017] The downstream stage 30 further comprises a second planet-carrier (not shown) rotated by the second planet wheels 34 and intended to transmit the torque downstream, for example directly to the engagement shaft 4 or to a further reduction stage downstream.

[0018] The drive unit 1 further comprises an irreversibility device 40, functionally operating between the upstream reduction stage 10 and the downstream reduction stage 30.

[0019] Said irreversibility device 40 transmits the torque from upstream to downstream and prevents the rotation from downstream to upstream.

[0020] The irreversibility device 40 comprises a driver component 42 integral in rotation with the planet wheels 14 of the upstream stage 10; for example, according to the embodiment shown, the driver component 42 consists of the same planet-carrier 20 of said upstream stages 10 and is thus rotatable about the main axis Z.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, said driver component 42 comprises a base 44, for example consisting of a disc-shaped plate, provided with a rear face 44a and a front face 44b facing downstream.

[0022] The driver component 42 further comprises at least one pair of abutments 46a, 46b projecting axially from the front face 44b of base 44. Preferably, said abutments 46a, 46b are circumferentially spaced and arranged peripherally to base 44. In the embodiment shown, the driver component comprises three pairs of abutments.

[0023] In other words, said abutments 46a, 46b follow each other circumferentially, forming a brake compartment 47' therebetween between two abutments 46a, 46b of the same pair and an engagement compartment 47'' between two abutments 46a, 46b of different pairs. [0024] Preferably, moreover, the driver component 42 comprises a plurality of pins 48 projecting axially from the rear face 44a of base 44 attached to said base 44 to engage it integrally with the planet wheels 14 of the upstream stage 10.

[0025] The irreversibility device 40 further comprises a driven component 60 coaxial to the main axis Z and engageable in rotation with the driver component 42.

[0026] The driven component 60 is intgegral in rotation with the sun gear 32 of the downstream stage 30; for example, the driven component 60 and the sun gear 32 form a single body.

[0027] Preferably, the driven component 60 consists of a suitably shaped plate and is provided with at least one protuberance 62 peripherally to said plate, adapted to insert in a labile manner in the respective engagement compartment 47" of the driver component 42.

[0028] In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the driven component 60 is received on the front face 44b of base 44 of the driver component 42 so that each protuberance 62 is received with circumferential clearance in the respective engagement compartment 47".

[0029] The driven component 60 further comprises, between said protuberances 62, arched or flat functional surfaces 64, for example consisting of portions of the lateral surface of the plate that forms said driven component 60.

[0030] In a rest configuration, when the driven component 60 is applied to the driver component 42 and protuberances 62 are accommodated in the engagement compartments 47'', the functional surfaces 64 lie between abutments 46a, 46b, radially delimiting the respective brake compartments 47'.

[0031] The irreversibility device 40 further comprises a tubular container body 70, for example shaped as a ring, provided with a cylindrical inner lateral surface 72, coaxial to the main axis Z.

[0032] Abutments 46a, 46b, the protuberances 62 and the driven body 60 are accommodated inside the container body 70.

[0033] In particular, in a rest configuration, abutments 46a, 46b of the driver component 42, the functional surfaces 64 of the driven component 60 and the lateral surface 72 of the container body 70 define compartments 74 having at the bottom the front face 44b of base 44 of the driver component 42.

[0034] The functional surfaces 64 are shaped so that compartments 74 have the maximum radial dimension at the centre and taper to the ends, i.e. towards abutments 46a, 46b.

[0035] For example, said functional surfaces 64 are cylindrical circular surface portions eccentric with respect to the main axis Z.

[0036] The irreversibility device 40 further comprises, in each compartment 74, a pair of rolling bodies 82', 82'', for example shaped as spheres or cylinders, and a spacer element 84 placed therebetween.

[0037] The spacer element 84, suitably dimensionally calibrated, keeps the rolling bodies circumferentially spaced so as to maintain a position close to the respective abutment 46a, 46b.

[0038] Preferably, said spacer element 84 is an elastic element, such as a helical spring, suitable for operating permanently on said rolling bodies to space them.

[0039] In a first operating condition in which the roll-up is to be lifted, the electric motor 2 is started and it exerts a torque that forces a rotation to the engagement shaft 4 according to a first rotation direction, such as counter-clockwise R' .

[0040] In this operating condition, the driver component 42 performs an anti-clockwise rotation R' and one of abutments 46b contacts one of the rolling bodies 82'', thus pushing it.

[0041] The rolling body 82'', pushed by abutment 46b, thus moves towards the centre of compartment 74, provided with a greater radial dimension. Therefore, the rolling body 82'' does not cause any interference with the inner surface 72 or with the functional surface 64.

[0042] At the same time, by virtue of the rotation of the driver component 42, abutment 46a rotates a protuberance 62 of the driven body 60, thus pulling it in rotation. The transmission of the torque from upstream to downstream of the irreversibility device is thus obtained .

[0043] The behavior of the drive unit, and in particular of the irreversibility device, is the same in the case of a torque transmitted from the motor to downstream in the other direction of rotation.

[0044] In a second operating condition, for example due to the persistence of the roll-up awning in a raised condition, the roll-up awning exerts a torque on the engagement shaft 4 in a rotation direction, such as clockwise R' ' .

[0045] The rotation of the engagement shaft 4 in a clockwise direction causes the driven body 60 to rotate in clockwise direction and to wedge the rolling body 82' towards the ends of the respective compartment 64, thus creating an interference with the inner surface 72 which blocks the rotation of the driven body 60.

[0046] The behavior of the drive unit, and in particular of the irreversibility device, is the same in the case of a torque transmitted from the engagement shaft to upstream in the other direction of rotation.

[0047] According to a further embodiment (figure 4), the driver component 42 comprises only a pair of abutments 46a, 46b, from which respective teeth 50a, 50b project radially .

[0048] The driven component 60 is provided with a pair of loops 62a, 62b peripherally to said plate, adapted to receive the respective tooth 50a, 50b.

[0049] In a rest configuration, abutments 46a, 46b of the driver component 42, the functional surfaces 64 of the driven component 60 and the lateral surface 72 of the container body 70 define two compartments 74 having at the bottom the front face 44b of base 44 of the driver component 42.

[0050] Innovatively, the drive unit according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, since it has a particularly simple assembly.

[0051] Moreover, advantageously, the drive unit is particularly reliable, as the components are robust and not subject to high stresses.

[0052] The irreversibility device 40 is arranged, according to the embodiment shown, between the first and the second stage of the planetary gear.

[0053] According to an embodiment variant, the irreversibility device is placed between the second and the third stage of the planetary gear.

[0054] According to further embodiment variants, the irreversibility device is placed upstream of the first stage or downstream of the last stage.

Second invention

[0055] The object of a second invention is a drive unit for raising and lowering roll-up awnings or blinds, provided with an irreversibility device.

[0056] Such drive units are widely used to lower or raise a roll-up awning and are usually provided with an irreversibility device that allows the torque generated by the motor to be transmitted to the engagement shaft with the roll-up awning and prevent the torque generated by the roll-up awning, for example due to the weight just when it is raised, from driving the motor in rotation and cause the accidental lowering of the awning.

[0057] There are numerous drive unit solutions provided with irreversibility devices.

[0058] A known solution involves the use of an irreversibility device with electromagnetic actuation. However, such groups have some drawbacks, such as energy consumption due to electromagnetic drive and the tendency to overheat when activated for a prolonged period of time. [0059] Further solutions, instead, provide a mechanical irreversibility device. Such solutions involve the narrowing or widening of the turns of a propeller spring, which thus scrap against the inner or outer surface of a fixed bush coaxial to such a spring, thus causing the desired resistance to rotation. Such solutions are illustrated, for example, in EP-A-0976909 and EP-A- 2230415.

[0060] Such solutions, however, have some drawbacks, such as assembly difficulties, repeatability of the behaviour, and component reliability.

[0061] The object of the present invention is to provide a drive unit with an electric motor and an irreversibility device that meets the requirements of the field and at the same time overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

[0062] Such an object is achieved by a drive unit according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe further embodiments of the invention.

[0063] The features and the advantages of the drive unit according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the following figures, in which:

- figure 5 shows a view in separate parts of a drive unit according to the present invention;

- figure 6 shows a side view of the drive unit in figure 5 ; and

- figure 7 shows a view of an irreversibility device of the drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention .

[0064] With reference to the accompanying figures 5 to 7, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a drive unit for a roll-up awning or blind, comprising an electric motor 2 suitable for generating a torque along a main axis Z, either directly or via a kinematic transmission.

[0065] The electric motor 2 is arranged at a rear end of the drive unit 1, while at the front end, said drive unit is provided with an engagement shaft 4 rotatable coaxially to said main axis Z for the connection with a winding pin of the roll-up awning or blind.

[0066] The drive unit 1 further comprises a planetary gear configured to reduce the transmission ratio (and thus multiply the torque) from the electric motor 2 towards the engagement shaft 4.

[0067] Preferably, the planetary gear is multistage, consisting of several cascade reduction stages; for example, said planetary gear consists of three reduction stages .

[0068] A downstream reduction stage 10 comprises a first fixed crown 12 provided with inner teeth, first planet wheels 14 that engage with the first crown 12, and a first sun gear 16 arranged coaxially to the main axis Z and engaging with the first planet wheels 14. The first sun gear 16 receives the torque coming from the electric motor (either directly or through a further reduction stage upstream of said downgrade stage) .

[0069] The downstream stage also includes a planet-carrier 20 applicable to the planet wheels 14 and intended to transmit the torque downstream of said upstream stage.

[0070] A downstream reduction stage 30 of the planetary gear placed downstream of the upstream stage 10 comprises a second sun gear 32 rotatable coaxially to the main axis Z and intended to receive the torque from the upstream stage 10, a second fixed crown 33, provided with inner teeth, and second planet wheels 34 which engage with the second crown; the second sun gear 32 engages with the second planet wheels 34.

[0071] The downstream stage 30 further comprises a second planet-carrier (not shown) rotated by the second planet wheels 34 and intended to transmit the torque downstream, for example directly to the engagement shaft 4 or to a further reduction stage downstream.

[0072] The drive unit 1 further comprises an irreversibility device 40, operatively arranged between the upstream reduction stage 10 and the downstream reduction stage 30.

[0073] Said irreversibility device 40 transmits the torque from upstream to downstream and prevents the rotation from downstream to upstream.

[0074] The irreversibility device 40 comprises a driver component 42 integral in rotation with the planet wheels 14 of the upstream stage 10; for example, according to the embodiment shown, the driver component 42 consists of the same planet-carrier 20 of said upstream stage 10 and is thus rotatable about the main axis Z.

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment, said driver body 42 comprises a base 44, for example consisting of a disc-shaped plate, provided with a rear face 44a and a front face 44b facing downstream.

[0076] The driver component 42 further comprises at least one pair of abutments 46a, 46b projecting axially from the front face 44b of base 44.

[0077] Preferably, said abutments 46a, 46b are arranged diametrically opposed, have a predefined circumferential extension and are arranged peripherally to base 44 spaced circumferentially .

[0078] Moreover, the driver component 42 comprises a pair of teeth 50a, 50b projecting axially from the front face 44b of base 44, also spaced circumferentially . [0079] According to a preferred embodiment, said teeth 50a, 50b are radially projecting from the respective abutment 46a, 46b, preferably in a median position with respect to them.

[0080] Preferably, moreover, the driver body 42 comprises a plurality of pins 48 projecting axially from the rear face 44a of base 44 attached to said base 44 to engage it integrally with the planet wheels 14 of the upstream stage 10.

[0081] The irreversibility device 40 further comprises a driven component 60 coaxial to the main axis Z and engageable in rotation with the driver component 42.

[0082] The driven component 60 is integral in rotation with the sun gear 32 of the downstream stage 30; for example, the driven component 60 and the sun gear 32 form a single body .

[0083] Preferably, the driven component 60 consists of a suitably shaped plate and is provided with a pair of loops 62a, 62b made peripherally to said plate, each adapted to receive in a labile manner circumferentially the respective tooth 50a, 50b of the driver component 42.

[0084] In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the driven component 60 is received on the front face 44b of base 44 of the driver component 42 so that teeth 50a, 50b are received with circumferential clearance in loops 62a, 62b.

[0085] The driven component 60 further comprises, between said loops 62a, 62b, a pair of arched or flat functional surfaces 64a, 64b, for example consisting of portions of the lateral surface of the plate that forms said driven component 60.

[0086] In a rest configuration, when the driven component 60 is applied to the driver component 42 and teeth 50a, 50b are received in loops 62a, 62b, the functional surfaces 64a, 64b are arranged between abutments 46a, 46b.

[0087] The irreversibility device 40 further comprises a tubular container body 70, for example shaped as a ring, provided with a cylindrical inner lateral surface 72, coaxial to the main axis Z.

[0088] Abutments 46a, 46b, teeth 50a, 50b and the driven body 60 are accommodated inside the container body 70.

[0089] In particular, in a rest configuration, abutments 46a, 46b of the driver component 42, the functional surfaces 64a, 64b of the driven component 60 and the lateral surface 72 of the container body 70 define a pair of compartments 74a, 74b having at the bottom the front face 44b of base 44 of the driver component 42.

[0090] The functional surfaces 64a, 64b are shaped so that compartments 74a, 74b have the maximum radial dimension at the centre and taper to the ends, i.e. towards abutments 46a, 46b.

[0091] For example, said functional surfaces 64a, 64b are cylindrical circular surface portions eccentric with respect to the main axis Z.

[0092] The irreversibility device 40 further comprises, in each compartment 74a, 74b, at least one sliding body 82', 82'', for example shaped as an elongated parallelepiped arched in the circumferential direction.

[0093] In particular, said sliding body 82', 82'' has a circumferential extension smaller than that of the respective compartment 74a, 74b.

[0094] Preferably, the sliding body 82', 82'' is made as a solid block, preferably of plastic material.

[0095] In a first operating condition in which the roll-up is to be lifted, the electric motor 2 is started and it exerts a torque that forces a rotation to the engagement shaft 4 according to a first rotation direction, such as counter-clockwise R' .

[0096] In this operating condition, the driver body 42 performs an anti-clockwise rotation R' and each abutment 46a, 46b contacts the sliding bodies 82', 82'', thus pushing them. The sliding body 82', 82'' does not cause any interference with the inner surface 72 or with the functional surface 64a, 64b such as to block the rotation thereof .

[0097] At the same time, by virtue of the rotation of the driver body 42, said driver body 42 rotatably engages the driven body 60; for example, at least one of teeth 50a, 50b engages with the driven body 60, thus entraining it in rotation. The transmission of the torque downstream of the irreversibility device is thus obtained.

[0098] The behaviour of the drive unit, and in particular of the irreversibility device, is the same in the case of a torque transmitted from the motor to downstream in the other direction of rotation.

[0099] In a second operating condition, for example due to the persistence of the roll-up awning in a raised condition, the roll-up awning exerts a torque on the engagement shaft 4 in a rotation direction, such as clockwise R' ' .

[00100] The rotation of the engagement shaft 4 in a clockwise direction causes the driven body 60 to rotate in clockwise direction and to wedge the sliding body 82', 82" towards the ends of the respective compartment 74a, 74b, thus creating an interference with the inner surface 72 which blocks the rotation of the driven body 60.

[00101] The behaviour of the drive unit, and in particular of the irreversibility device, is the same in the case of a torque transmitted from the engagement shaft to upstream in the other direction of rotation.

[00102] Innovatively, the drive unit according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, since it has a particularly simple assembly.

[00103] Moreover, advantageously, the drive unit is particularly reliable, as the components are robust and not subject to high stresses.

[00104] The irreversibility device 40 is arranged, according to the embodiment shown, between the first and the second stage of the planetary gear.

[00105] According to an embodiment variant, the irreversibility device is placed between the second and the third stage of the planetary gear.

[00106] According to further embodiment variants, the irreversibility device is placed upstream of the first stage or downstream of the last stage.

[00107] Moreover, according to the embodiment shown, the driven body is provided with loops and the driver body with teeth.

[00108] According to a further embodiment, the driven body is provided with teeth and the driver body with loops .

[00109] According to an even further embodiment, a plurality of pairs of abutments is provided, for example three pairs, between which a compartment is defined, for example three compartments, such that a respective sliding body is received in each compartment.