AT A WAND, AND A WAND COMPRISING SOLAR CELLS

Technical field

The present invention relates to a window covering device, comprising a window cover, a motor arrangement and a wand, and to a wand for a window covering device.

Background

It is well known to use solar cells for charging batteries for many different applications. For window covering devices it is known use solar cells for powering motorised blinds, which is for instance shown in US2010/0154999, where solar cells are placed on Venetian blind blades. Another example of solar cells for powering motorized blinds is shown in US2011/0036511 where solar cells are attached to the fabric of a roman blind.

One problem with prior art window covering devices powered by solar cells is that the electrical connection between the solar cells and the motor can be a challenge and/or not visually attractive, e.g. if electrical threads or cords needs to be included in the fabric, or if a loose cable is needed between the solar cells and the motor. Another problem with prior art window covering devices powered by solar cells is that the solar cells may affect and limit the visual design of the blinds or of the window.

Therefore there is a need for a convenient window covering device of this kind which is not negatively affecting the visual design and which is easy to install and run.

Summary

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a wand for and a window covering device which solves the drawbacks of the prior art.

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention relates to a window covering device comprising a window cover, a motor arrangement and a wand, wherein the motor arrangement comprises an electrical motor, arranged to actuate the window cover, power storage means and driver electronic means arranged to control actuation of the electrical motor and charging of the power storage means, wherein the wand is arranged to be hanging in the window covering device by means of a mechanical wand connection means, wherein solar cells are arranged at the wand, wherein the wand is arranged to be in electrical connection with the motor arrangement by means of an electrical wand connection means and wherein the motor arrangement is placed inside a tube or a headrail of the window covering device.

A wand is known in the field of window covering devices as a stick or rod hanging at the side of the window cover and being used for controlling e.g. the position of horizontal slats in Venetian blinds by turning the wand. In some window covering devices a wand is placed at curtains and being used for manually pulling the curtains without having to touch the fabric of the curtain. Therefore a wand hanging at a window covering device will be perceived as a device for controlling the position of the blind and thus will not be seen as negatively affecting the visual appearance or impression of the blind. However, for the present invention the wand is provided with solar cells used for charging the power storage means, which could be e.g. a battery or a capacitor, for powering the electrical motor of the window covering device. The wand is elongated and can have any suitable cross sectional shape such as circular, triangular, rectangular, octagonal, etc. The wand could be flat having two major sides where one or both sides are covered with solar cells. The solar cells are including means for converting solar energy to electrical energy. Several types of solar cells are possible to arrange on the wand according to the present invention. For example, the solar cells could be a rigid solar cell based on silicon technology such as Sunpower silicon cells in a PET and ETFE enclosure, or a thin film solar cell technology such as amorphous silicon or copper indium gallium selenide, as for example the custom flex module from mia2ole.

An advantage with providing solar cells on a wand is, as explained above, that the wand will in normal use be arranged sufficiently close to a window and therefore be exposed to enough light to power the window covering device. Moreover, since the wand is hung in the window covering device it requires no or very little installation efforts. In addition, and since the wand is hung in the window covering device by means of mechanical wand connection means, it may be possible to use the wand for mechanically regulating the position of the window cover provided that a suitable mechanism for mechanically regulating the window cover is included and connected to the mechanical wand connection means. Such mechanism could be a mechanism for tilting the slats of a Venetian blinds, or for starting and stopping the motor by pulling the wand, or winding and unwinding fabric in a roller blind, etc. Window cover could be e.g. a roller blind, honeycomb blind, Venetian blind, roman blind, curtain, panels etc. Thus, actuating the window cover could be moving the roller blind fabric on a tube, or moving honeycomb blind or Venetian blinds up and down or moving the position of horizontal slats of blinds, or for curtain and panel options actuating could be to move in a horizontal direction. Preferably the solar cells are integrated in the wand. The solar cells could be integrated inside the wand or being integrated in the wand on the external side of the wand, or a combination.

In one embodiment of the window covering device the wand has a handle portion for a user to pull and/or turn the wand to control the position or motion of the window cover. The handle portion can be the lower portion of the wand. The handle portion can be shaped to direct the user to grab the handle portion e.g. by being comprised of a material with some friction/tactile means. Alternatively the handle portion can be the entire wand thereby the user may grab the wand at any suitable position of the wand. In one preferred embodiment the mechanical wand connection means and the electrical wand connection means are arranged at the upper end portion of the wand, when the wand is arranged hanging in the at the window covering device, and the handle portion is arranged at the lower end portion of the wand.

In one embodiment of the window covering device, the wand comprises a tube having at least one transparent portion and the solar cells are arranged inside the tube at the transparent portion. The tube can provide proper protection for the solar cells. The tube could be transparent at one or several portions of the tube or the entire tube can be transparent. Portions that are not transparent may be covered by another surface material, such as a veneer or other material for a design purpose.

In one embodiment of the window covering device, the solar cells comprise a solar cell film arranged inside the transparent tube. A solar cell film arranged inside a tube may be a cheap way or realizing the invention. The film can be flexible and inserted into the tube.

In one embodiment of the window covering device, the electrical wand connection means and the mechanical wand connection means are arranged in a common connection structure. Thereby it may be easier for users since less assembly is needed and in addition it may give a nice look.

In one embodiment of the window covering device, the wand is elongated and having a total length of least 30 cm, preferably at least 40 cm. A certain length may also be required in order to ensure large enough surface area to be covered by solar cells.

Moreover, for some embodiments, e.g. where the wand is pulled or turned to affect the position of the window cover, the wand may be easily reachable for the user which might require a certain length. The wand may have a width of between 0.3 cm - 5 cm, preferably between 1 cm - 3 cm. Since the wand is an elongated stick the width is referring to the diameter of the wand if the wand is a rod with a circular cross section, or the corresponding cross sectional measure for a wand having another shape than a rod with circular circumference.

In one embodiment of the window covering device, the mechanical wand connection means and the electrical wand connection means are detachable from the window covering device allowing the wand to be detachable from the window covering device. A detachable wand could be used and/or sold as a separate article.

In one embodiment the window covering device comprises wireless control means for controlling the motion of the window cover wirelessly. The wand, or any other suitable portion of the window covering device, can include wireless control means such that the blind can be operated wirelessly. For instance zigbee or any other suitable protocol can be used for controlling the window covering device. The wand may then be used for the sole purpose of charging the power source of the window covering device, or it may in addition be used for controlling the motion of the window cover.

The window covering device may comprise solar cell driver electronics for controlling transport of electricity from the solar cells to the power storage means.

In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention relates to wand of a window covering device, wherein the wand comprises solar cells, wherein the wand is arranged to be in electrical connection with a motor arrangement placed inside a tube or headrail of the window covering device by means of an electrical wand connection means and wherein the wand is arranged to be mechanical connection with the window covering device by means of a mechanical wand connection means allowing the wand to hang in the window covering device.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following description reference will be made to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the window covering device according to the present invention; Figs 2a-d show the window covering device of Fig. 1 when a user is activating the device;

Fig. 3 schematically shows a motor arrangement of one embodiment of the window covering device according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a wand for a window covering device according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a wand for a window covering device according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a wand for a window covering device according to the present invention;

Fig. 7a shows an alternative embodiment of a wand for a window covering device according to the present invention;

Fig. 7b shows an alternative embodiment of a wand for a window covering device according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a window covering device according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a window covering device according to the present invention;

Figs lOa-b show an alternative embodiment of a window covering device according to the present invention when a user is activating the device;

Fig. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a window covering device according to the present invention; and

Fig. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of a window covering device according to the present invention.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 shows a window covering device 1 in the shape of a roller blind 2. The roller blind 2 has a window cover 4, i.e. a fabric, rolled up on a tube 6. A motor arrangement of the window covering device 1 comprises an electrical motor, a rechargeable battery powering the motor and electrical connection means. The motor arrangement is arranged inside the tube 6, and is therefore not visible in Fig. 1. The roller blind 2 is intended to be arranged at a window by means of brackets 7. One end portion 8 of the roller blind tube 6 has a string loop 10 sticking out from a small opening 12 of the end portion 8 of the roller blind tube 6. The string loop 10 is in communication with on/off functions of the motor inside the roller blind tube 6. Thus by pulling the string loop 10, the electrical motor of the roller blind is started and stopped.

A wand 14, formed as an elongated rod or stick, has at its upper end portion 15 a mechanical wand connection means 16 connectable to the string loop 10 of the roller blind by means of a detachable clip 18. Thereby the wand 14 can be hung at the roller blind 2 by means of the mechanical wand connection means 16. The wand 14 can thus be used for controlling the start and stop of the roller blind motor by pulling the wand 14 thereby starting and stopping the motor.

Further, the wand 14 is connectable to the roller blind 2 by electrical wand connection means 20, which in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 is an electrical cord 23 and a USB contact 21. The end portion 8 of the roller blind tube 6 has an electrical contact adapted to be connected to the electrical wand connection means 20, i.e. in the illustrated embodiment in Fig. 1 the end portion 8 of the roller blind 2 has a USB port 25. The lower part of Fig. 1 is illustrating, using arrows, that the wand 14 is connectable to the roller blind 2 by means of an electrical connection, arrow A, and mechanical connection, arrow B. The upper part of Fig. 1 shows the wand 14 connected to the roller blind 2.

One side of the wand shown in Fig. 1 is covered with solar cells 22. The embodiment in Fig. 1 has solar cells 22 arranged on one side of the wand 14, and thus the wand 14 may preferably be placed so that the side of the wand 14 having solar cells 22 is facing a window. However, solar cells available on the market today may also effectively charge energy from indoor light without having to face direct sunlight, so any orientation of the wand 14 may work. As will be shown in other embodiments below solar cells may also be arranged on all sides of the wand 14. Anyhow, the solar cells arranged on the wand 14 will be used for charging energy from light and used for charging the battery of the window covering device 1, i.e. in this example the motorized blind 2.

The connection between the wand 14 and the roller blind 2 is shown in a close up view in the lower part of Fig. 1. The mechanical wand connection means 16 is in this embodiment a detachable clip 18 and a plastic fixed loop at the upper end portion 15 of the wand 14. It is also realized that since both the mechanical and the electrical wand connection means 16, 20 are attachable and de-attachable, the wand 14 can be provided as an add-on to an existing motorized window covering device provided that it is suited for that, e.g. having a USB connection, however it can also be provided together with a motorized window covering device 1.

Figs 2a-d show the window covering device 1 of Fig. 1 in operation and arranged at a window (not shown). Fig. 2a shows a hand of a user pulling the wand 14 downwards, illustrated by an arrow C in Fig. 2a, to start the electric motor and the window cover 4, i.e. the fabric, is thus moved downwards, which is illustrated with an arrow D in Fig. 2b. The movement of the window cover 4 downwards can be automatically stopped when it has reached a predefined, pre- programmed, length or using sensors etc. which is not shown here. Alternatively the user can pull the wand 14 once more to stop the motor. When the wand 14 is pulled again, which is illustrated with an arrow E in Fig. 2c, the motor is started, but the direction of movement is reversed compared to the movement described in connection to Fig. 2a, which means that the window cover 4 is moving upwards, reversing the movement shown in Fig. 2b, which is illustrated by an arrow F in Fig. 2d. Fig. 2d shows the window cover 4 almost fully rolled up on the roller blind tube 6. The movement is preferably stopped automatically, using suitable sensors not shown here, when the window cover 4 is fully rolled up on the tube 8. Alternatively a user can once more pull the wand 14 downwards to stop the motor. The details of the wand 14, such as solar cells, connection means etc. are not shown in Figs 2a-d however the wand 14 in Figs 2a-d is the same as the wand described in connection with Fig. 1 above.

Fig. 3 shows schematically the motor arrangement of one embodiment of the window covering device 1, such as the one described in connection to Fig. 1 above. The motor arrangement comprises a power storage 36, here a rechargeable battery 44, an electrical motor 40, and driver electronic means 42 to control the motor 40 and control the charging of the battery 44. The driver electronic means 42 also includes electrical connection means connecting the battery 44 to the motor 40. The motor 40, the battery 44, and the driver electronic means 42 are arranged inside a headrail 46 of the roller blind 2. Electrical connection between the driver electronic means 42 and the wand 14 is handled by a USB connection 48 and electric cables 50, 52 inside the headrail 46 and at the wand 14. Solar cell driver electronics 38 for controlling transport of electricity from the solar cells 22 to the battery 44 are arranged at the wand 14. The solar cell driver electronics 38 can be used for stabilizing the energy flow from the solar cells, including e.g. USB chip driver. Alternatively the solar cell driver electronics can be integrated in the headrail, either as a separate unit or as a part of the driver electronic means 42. In addition, in an alternative embodiment, not shown, the battery 44 may be replaced by a capacitor. It may also be possible to have the battery or capacitor integrated in the wand 14.

Fig. 4 shows one alternative embodiment of the wand 14 in Fig. 1. The lower part of Fig. 4 shows the wand 14 in a side view taken along the wand 14 and the middle part of Fig.

4 shows the wand 14 in a perspective view. The two bigger circles in Fig. 14 illustrate that the upper end portion 15 of the wand 14 is zoomed in. The alternative embodiment of the wand 14 shown in Fig. 4 can be used together with the window covering device 1 described in Fig. 1 above. One difference between the wand 14 shown in Fig. 4 and the wand 14 shown in Fig. 1 is that the solar cells 22 shown at the wand 14 in Fig. 4 is arranged on both sides of the wand 14. The wand 14 has two flat surfaces, where the solar cells 22 are arranged. In addition the wand 14 shown in Fig. 4 has a handle portion 54 where no solar cells are arranged. The upper end portion 15 of the wand 14 has the same connection means, i.e. the mechanical connection means 16 and the electrical connection means 20, as the wand described in connection to Fig. 1 above.

Figs 5-6, and Figs 7a-b show other alternative embodiments of the wand 14 in Fig. 1 in perspective views, and in addition with the upper end portion 15 of the wand 14 zoomed in. The alternative embodiments of the wand 14 shown in Figs 5-7 can be used in the window covering device 1 described in Fig. 1 above. The upper end portion 15 of the wand

14 has the same connection means, i.e. the mechanical connection means 16 and the electrical connection means 20, as the wand described in connection to Fig. 1 above.

In Fig. 5 the solar cells 22 are attached at a circular wand 14. In Fig. 6 the solar cells 22 are attached at a hexagonal wand 14. The solar cells 22 could either be attached on the external side of the wand 14 or they could be arranged inside the wand 14, e.g. a solar cell film 72, which is shown in Fig. 7B, could be arranged inside the wand 14 if the wand 14 for instance is made by an acrylic transparent tube 70. In Fig. 7A the solar cells 22 are arranged on a strip inserted inside a transparent tube 70. In Figs 7a-b, where the upper end portion

15 of the wand 14 is disassembled, it is seen that the cable of the electrical wand connection means 20 goes though the upper end portion 15 of the wand 14 and is attached to the solar cells 22. Fig. 8 shows a window covering device 1 according to an alternative embodiment. The window covering device 1 shown in Fig. 8 comprises a roller blind 2 similar to the one described in connection to Fig. 1 above, and having a wand 14 provided with solar cells 22. The difference between the roller blinds 2 shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 1 is that the wand 14 shown in Fig. 8 has the mechanical connection means 16 and the electrical connection means 20 integrated in a common structure 74 fixedly attached to the end portion 8 of the roller blind tube 6. The common structure 74 shown in Fig. 8 is a flexible cord. As can be hinted in the zoomed in circle in Fig. 8, the end portion 8 still is equipped with an electrical input port, such as a USB port 25. USB port 25 allows the rechargeable battery inside the roller blind tube 6 to be charged using a regular charging cable which may be used as a backup charging for cases with very poor light and/or if the battery need to be charged fast.

Fig. 9 shows a window covering device 1 according to an alternative embodiment. The window covering device 1 shown in Fig. 9 comprises a roller blind 2 similar to the one described in connection to Fig. 8 above having the mechanical connection means 16 and the electrical connection means 20 integrated in a common structure 74 fixedly attached to the end portion 8 of a headrail 46 or a roller blind 2, and having a wand 14 provided with solar cells 22. The roller blind 2 shown in Fig. 9 is equipped with a rechargeable battery which can be removed from the roller blind 2 by opening a battery compartment door 56. Thus, the battery can be removed from the roller blind 2 if additional charging of the battery is needed, or if the battery needs to be replaced.

Figs lOa-b show an alternative embodiment of a window covering device 1 having a wand 14 provided with solar cells 22 for charging a battery arranged at the headrail 46 similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9. The wand 14 shown in Figs. lOa-b is not arranged at the far end of the headrail 46 but instead arranged at about 10 cm from the end of the headrail 46 which might allow the wand 14 to get optimal sunlight exposure. The optimal placement of the wand 14 from a solar exposure perspective however might vary from 0-30 cm from the end of the headrail depending on e.g. window size. The wand 14 shown in Figs lOa-b can have any suitable mechanical connection means 16 and electrical connection means 20, such as any of the embodiments described above. The control of the movement of the window covering device 1, i.e. control of movement of the roller blind fabric 4, shown in Figs. lOa-b is handled wirelessly using e.g. ZigBee communication standard or any other suitable wireless communication. A pushbutton 66 is communicating wirelessly with communication means arranged at the roller blind motor to control start, stop, and movement direction of the motor. Fig. 10a shows a hand of a user pushing the pushbutton 66, or holding in the pushbutton 66, to start the downwards movement of the roller blind fabric 4 which is illustrated by arrow G. Fig. 10b shows a hand of a user pushing the pushbutton 66, or holding in the pushbutton 66, to start the upward movement of the roller blind fabric 4 which is illustrated by arrow H. The pushbutton 66 could alternative be a remote control which is not fixedly arranged at the window, or arranged in a holder at the window, or it could be integrated in a smartphone application etc.

Fig. 11 shows a window covering device 1 in the shape of a Venetian blind 80. The window cover 4 is in this embodiment thus formed by horizontal slats 82. A motor arrangement comprising an electrical motor, a rechargeable battery powering the motor, and electrical connection means, is arranged inside the headrail 84, and is not visible in Fig. 11. Two strings 86 are arranged at the side of the Venetian blinds and can be used for lowering and rising the slats 82 in the same manner as for non-motorized Venetian blind. Alternatively the string may be removed and the motor may be used for lowering and rising the slats 82. A wand 14 provided with solar cells 22 is connected to the headrail 84 by means of any suitable mechanical connection means 16 and electrical connection means 20, such as any of the embodiments described above. Thus, the wand 14 is used for powering the window covering device 1 to tilt the slats 82 and/or to rise and lower the slats 82.

Fig. 12 shows a window covering device 1 in the shape of a curtain rail 90. The window cover 4 is in this embodiment formed by textile panels 92. A motor arrangement comprising an electrical motor, a rechargeable battery powering the motor, and electrical connection means, is arranged inside a rail 94, and is not visible in Fig. 12. A wand 14 provided with solar cells 22 is connected to the rail 94 by means of any suitable mechanical connection means 16 and electrical connection means 20, such as any of the embodiments described above. Thus, the wand 14 shown in Fig. 12 is used for powering the window covering device 1 moving the panels horizontally to cover and uncover the window 24.

The electric motor has not been described in detail, however any suitable type of electrical motor for motorized blinds can be used. The motor may be arranged in a hollow tube or rail of the window covering device, and the rotor of the motor can e.g. be connected to a shaft for rotating the tube holding the roller blind, in the roller blind embodiments. For embodiments where the motor is actuating a horizontal movement of a curtain, the motor can be arranged at the rail and connected wires moving the curtain panels at the rail. The electrical motor is preferably a low voltage, direct current motor and is supplied with direct current of 24V produced by the rechargeable battery, which is electrically connected to the electric motor. The battery is charged by means of the solar cells arranged at the wand.

The electrical wand connection means is described as comprising a USB contact. It is realised that any suitable electrical connection can be used.

The solar cells can be connected to the wand in different ways. Some examples are shown here, such as the solar cell film or solar cells arranged inside a transparent tube. The solar cells may in addition be attached to the external side of the wand by other means, such as glue etc.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. For instance the battery has been explained as located in the roller blind tube, however it is also possible that the battery is arranged in the wand and thereby the electrical wand connector transports electricity from the battery to the motor.

Some specific types of solar cells are mentioned inhere however several other types of solar cells could also be considered for the wand of the motorised solar powered window covering device. The word solar cells has here been used to describe an electrical device that converts energy of light into electricity.

As non-limiting examples of window covers are given roller blinds, honeycomb blinds, Venetian blinds, roman blinds, curtains, and panel curtains, however the window covering device may comprise any type of suitable window cover.