EP3293344B1 - Device for unwinding/winding a roller shutter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for winding / unwinding a screen for example of the shutter type used for closing an opening in a wall of a building, such as windows or doors. Of course, it also concerns, and more generally, any type of device for concealing bays when they are rollable, and / or mobile rolling elements for sun protection, such as blinds, grilles, etc., designated under the general term screen. The technical field to which the invention relates thus relates to domestic or tertiary home automation applied to the closure of openings, insofar as the systems used are motorized and storable in a rolled form.

In the following, to improve the clarity of the subject, the problems and solutions that relate to the invention will be more particularly considered by focusing on the single example of shutters. However, they are immediately and easily transposable to other equipment mentioned or eligible for these solutions.

The problem solved by the invention relates to the fixing of the winding devices / unwinding between fixed supports, for example the side cheeks of shutter boxes used to house their aprons when in the wound position. The dimensions of the berries to be obscured being variable according to the sites of implantation, the distances between these cheeks can therefore present differences, functions of the transverse dimensions of the openings and thus of the screen systems envisaged to hide them. It is known, in response to this problem of dimensional variability, to propose telescopic winding systems, therefore adaptable to the actual spacings of the supports, without being forced to make tailor-made which is not an answer adapted to the market reality.

Among the solutions conventionally used, some associate with the winding roll of the shutter a cylinder or tip called "tandem" which attaches to the support disposed opposite the motor means and their connection interface. These motor means are generally constituted by a tubular electric motor inserted in said winding cylinder, which it is intended to drive, the electrical connections but also the mechanical attachment of a fixed part of the engine being effected at the level of the cheek that faces the end of the cylinder beyond which connects the motor. The procedure for the installation of such winders requires starting with the electrical connections on the motor side, continuing with the mechanical fixing of the fixed head of the motor (which can also be concomitant with the electrical connection according to the types of links used), before operating at the other end for a purely mechanical connection this time with a free tip rotated in the opposite cheek.

Depending on the axial dimensions of the winder, which may be important in some cases, there is a risk that the connections on the motor side - in particular electrical - will deteriorate when manipulated at the other end, risk to which it can be remedied by using the simultaneous services of two assemblers, each taking care of one end of the reel.

To facilitate installation by a single editor, according to other solutions, the mechanical structure for telescopic operation has then been moved and placed on the same side as the engine and the cheek sheltering the electrical connections.

This is for example the case for the solution described in the document EP 1 635 031 which has a sliding mounting ring located between the tubular motor body and the winding tube. This solution therefore involves an additional component, which manages a mechanical double bond in operation, on the one hand with the casing of the tubular motor, and on the other hand with the winding tube. When editing, This component is positioned first with respect to the motor and then with respect to the winding tube.

Blocking means of the assembly in an extended position are also described in this document, effectively resulting in locking the ring in a predetermined position so that any translational movement in the direction of a retraction of the winder becomes not allowed. This allows to give the device a stable length, adapted to the distance between the cheeks. These locking means preferably take the form of an additional ring, insertable externally on the first retractable mounting ring. Alternatively they may consist of elastic tabs capable of bearing on the front edge of the winding tube to prevent movement in the direction of retraction.

Another solution incorporating an axial dimensional variability of a rolling shutter winding device is described in the document EP 3,020,910 , wherein the retractor tube is connected at one end to the tubular motor via a sleeve attached to the retractor tube. This sleeve performs the guiding of the motor in translation. The dimensional adjustment therefore takes place on the same side as the motor, as in the solution mentioned above. Relative locking means exist between the sleeve and the winding tube, but nothing is provided regarding the connection between the motor and the winding tube. This solution therefore includes an intermediate piece, in addition to the tubular motor and the roller tube, which must be mounted and manage in connection with the latter two.

The present invention proposes a solution which considerably simplifies the approaches envisaged above, overcoming the drawbacks of the structures which are provided with telescopic means of dimensional adaptation having a sliding tip opposite to the motor as well as the insufficiencies of the solutions which allow the mechanical and electrical connection of the engine by managing, simultaneously and on the same side, the dimensional approach. The approach of the invention simplifies assembly work, makes the assembly easier and more economical to manufacture, and ultimately improves the overall reliability of the winder.

• un tambour rotatif d'enroulement/déroulement du tablier, ledit tambour étant solidarisable à deux supports d'extrémité fixes ;
• des moyens moteurs disposés à l'une des extrémités du tambour, montés coulissant à l'intérieur dudit tambour entre un état rétracté et un état expansé faisant varier la longueur du dispositif d'enroulement/déroulement entre une première longueur inférieure à la distance d séparant les supports et une seconde longueur sensiblement égale à ladite distance d ;
• lesdits moyens moteurs comportant des moyens de fixation à un premier support ;
• un embout de fixation au second support équipant l'autre extrémité du tambour ;

est telle que ce sont les moyens moteurs qui comportent des moyens de blocage axial du dispositif à l'état expansé correspondant à ladite longueur déployée.In this regard, the invention relates to a device for winding / unwinding a shutter screen comprising:

• a rotary drum winding / unwinding of the apron, said drum being integral with two fixed end supports;
• motor means disposed at one end of the drum, slidably mounted within said drum between a retracted state and an expanded state varying the length of the winding device / unwinding between a first length less than the distance d between the supports and a second length substantially equal to said distance d;
• said motor means including means for attachment to a first support;
• a fixing end to the second support equipping the other end of the drum;

is such that it is the motor means which comprise axial blocking means of the device in the expanded state corresponding to said deployed length.

The solution recommended in this context eliminates any additional guide or blocking part which participates in the mechanical connection at the end of the drum housing the motor means. Fixing / connecting the device of the invention between two lateral supports becomes easy, practical and reliable: it is no longer necessary to slide axially the winding tube directly on the motor means (in the broad sense) in the direction the other lateral cheek, until the attachment end at this level can be implemented.

So that the device of the invention is usable in the most universal way possible, that is to say in practice regardless of the distance separating the two lateral supports of a box, the position of the axial locking means is axially adjustable relative to the outer peripheral surface of the motor means. This means in practice that, for the activation of the blocking means can be adapted to, and be effective for, each case, it is possible, according to the invention, to move them relative to the motor means.

In fact, according to a preferred configuration, said axial locking means comprise one or more locking members subjected to a restoring force oriented substantially radially in the direction of the drum, forced against said return force in the retracted state or when the expanded state corresponds to a length less than the desired extended length, and which are biased into the active blocking position when said desired extended length is reached. The activation of the axial locking means is therefore automatically automatic, and only depends on a relative position criterion between the motor means and the winding drum. There is a form of clipping outward of said bodies as they leave the inner tunnel enclosed by the drum, producing further a visual and audible acknowledgment of axial locking.

More precisely, these axial locking means may comprise at least one elastic element that deploys automatically at least in a radial direction when the device, in the expanded state of the motor means, reaches the extended length, said stop element capable of cooperating with a wall of radial shape of the drum oriented perpendicular to the axis of the drum to prevent sliding in a direction back to the retracted state. Since the free end of each tongue protrudes, under the effect of the elastic force and in a radial direction, the distance separating the inner wall of the drum to the central axis of rotation, any return movement is impossible. In other words, any return back by an inverted movement to return again the motor means in the drum is blocked by the tongue or tabs.

According to a possible configuration, economical to manufacture, easy to industrialize and practical during operation, the elastic element may preferably consist of an articulated tongue obtained by partial cutting in a surface piece fixed on the outer surface of the motor means, the ends of said cut defining between them an axis of articulation of the tongue, which is biased elastically in the deployed position when it is not constrained by the drum in a folded position towards said outer surface of the motor means. The free ends of these tongues deviate from the outer surface of the motor means as soon as they are released, typically when the distance from the winding / unwinding device is adjusted to the extended length suitable for attachment to the two side flanges, which is as above adjustable.

Preferably, the surface piece may be a sleeve fixed on the peripheral surface of a casing of the motor means, comprising at least two tongues of axial shape whose axis of articulation is proximal of the means of attachment to the support, distributed over around the sleeve. This sleeve has an axially adjustable position relative to the outer surface of the carrier means. It is dimensioned so as not to oppose the sliding by causing friction, but may possibly guide it, especially if the material that constitutes it has properties that promote sliding.

According to a particularly advantageous design, the drive means are free in translation in the drum, and their rotational fastening does not imply any mechanical connection that may hinder the sliding. For this purpose, the motor means comprise a ring whose section of the outer periphery fits into the internal section of the drum to guide the sliding, said sections preventing relative rotation from one to the other. Two sections of non-circular concentric shapes do for example the case.

It is not necessary for the entire outer surface of the drive means to be affected by this shape condition, it is sufficient in practice for the ring to be placed, for example, in the vicinity of the end of the drive means situated opposite the fastening means to the first support, and secured to said motor means in rotation.

Preferably, the motor means actually consist of an electric motor, for example a tubular motor as is usually the case in this type of assembly, comprising means for connection to an external power supply. Preferably, the electrical connection is implemented concomitantly with the fastening to the first support by the corresponding fixing means. In practice, it is practical only to clip this end of the motor protruding from the drum into a base provided for this purpose in the facing cheek, before proceeding to slide towards the other cheek, the unidirectional locking means described. above ensuring an expansion of the reel of appropriate length, preventing or limiting the risk of accidental fall of the device of the invention at the time of its installation, which could degrade the electrical connections.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en section longitudinale partielle d'un dispositif d'enroulement/déroulement selon l'invention en son état rétracté, fixé à un seul support latéral ; et
• la figure 2 est une vue en section longitudinale partielle du même dispositif d'enroulement/déroulement, cette fois en son état expansé, et fixé à deux supports latéraux.

A possible configuration of the invention, which is therefore only to be considered as a non-limiting example thereof, will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended figures, for which:

• the figure 1 represents a partial longitudinal sectional view of a winding device / unwinding according to the invention in its retracted state, fixed to a single lateral support; and
• the figure 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the same winding device / unwinding, this time in its expanded state, and attached to two lateral supports.

With reference to the figures, the drum winder (1) of the deck of a shutter (not shown) is mounted free in translation relative to a ring (2) integral in rotation with the rotor and subject to any axial displacement of an engine (3) tubular electric. A fixed portion (4) of the motor (3) protrudes from one end of the drum (1), and is intended to be secured to a first side cheek (5). This mechanical attachment involves a simultaneous electrical connection, clipping fastening means performing the two functions can in this regard be used. The other end of the drum (1) comprises a tip (7), a pin (8) is provided for insertion into a corresponding orifice (9) formed in a second side cheek (6) when the device is in its state expanded as illustrated in the figure 2 . Axial locking means are connected to the motor (3) in the form of a sleeve (10) provided with elastic axial tongues (11) which are pressed against the outer surface (14) of the motor (3) in the retracted state of the winding device / unwinding of the invention as appearing in figure 1 .

When the drum is deployed by translation in the direction of the arrow (F) (see figure 2 ), the motor (3) remaining stationary since already attached to its side cheek (5), the sleeve (10) and the drum (1) are moved relative translationally in the direction of the axis AA, until inserting the pin (8) of the nozzle (7) in the orifice (9). The elastic tongues (11), driven by the elastic return force inherent in the material, resume their rest position by moving away (at least their free end) from the outer surface (14) of the motor (3) as soon as they are released from the constraint of the drum (1), that is to say when the translation is about to be completed, when the frontal surface (12) of the end piece (7) is close to reaching in abutment against the cheek (6). In this case, the position of the drum (1) is such that the tabs (11) are indeed no longer in the volume defined by said drum (1), and by therefore free to resume an initial form by releasing the elastic energy. In this case, the extended length of the assembly is substantially equal to d, the distance separating the lateral cheeks (5, 6), which is the condition for fixing the winding / unwinding device to said cheeks (5, 6). .

The sleeve (10) is for example made of a plastic material having adequate elastic properties, in which the tongues can be molded in this deformed position so that their rest position is radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the drum. (1). The material of the sleeve (10) may be provided such that it may secondarily be used as a kind of translation guide aid pad.

The free end of the tongues (11), standing in contact with the end edge (13) of the drum (1), then opposes any attempt to translate in the opposite direction of the arrow F. The free sliding of the drum (1) relative to the motor (3) by a correspondence of the shapes of the sections of the drum (1) and the crown (2) is a simple solution for the rotary drive condition of one by the other is ensured without there being any additional mechanical connection to implement to subject them in rotation, which would then be likely to impede freedom of movement in translation.

The example described with reference to the figures is obviously not exhaustive of the invention, which also encompasses shape variants, for example respectively outer sections of the ring (2) and inner drum (1), or material for the sleeve (10) etc.

Claims (9)

1. A device for winding/unwinding a screen for closing an opening formed in a wall of a building, of the roller shutter type, including:

   - a rotating drum (1) for winding/unwinding the apron, said drum (1) being able to be secured to two stationary end supports (5, 6);

   - motor means (3) arranged at one of the ends of the drum (1), mounted sliding inside said drum (1) between a retracted state and an expanded state causing the length of the winding/unwinding device to vary between a first length smaller than the distance d separating the supports (5, 6) and a second, deployed length substantially equal to said distance d;

   - said motor means (3) including fastening means (4) to a first support (5);

   - a fastening endpiece (7) to the second support (6) equipping the other end of the drum (1);

   characterized in that the motor means (3) include axial blocking means (10, 11) for blocking the device in the expanded state corresponding to said deployed length.
2. The winding/unwinding device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the position of the axial blocking means (10, 11) is axially adjustable relative to the outer peripheral surface (14) of the motor means (3).
3. The winding/unwinding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axial blocking means include one or several blocking members (11) subject to a return force oriented substantially radially toward the drum (1), constrained against said return force in the retracted state or when the expanded state corresponds to a length shorter than the deployed length and which are urged into the active blocking position when said deployed length is reached.
4. The winding/unwinding device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axial blocking means include at least one resilient element (11) automatically deploying at least in a radial direction when the device, in the expanded state of the motor means (3), reaches the deployed length, said element (11) forming a stop able to cooperate with a radial wall (13) of the drum (1) oriented perpendicular to the axis A-A of the drum (1) in order to prevent sliding in a direction returning toward the retracted state.
5. The winding/unwinding device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the resilient element consists of an articulated tongue (11) obtained by partial cutting in a surface part (10) fastened on the outer surface (14) of the motor means (3), the ends of said cutout defining an articulation axis of the tongue (11) between them, which is urged resiliently into the deployed position when it is not constrained by the drum (1) into a position bent toward said surface (14).
6. The winding/unwinding device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the surface part is a sleeve (10) fastened on the peripheral surface of a casing of the motor means (3), including at least two axial tongues (11) whereof the articulation axis is proximal with respect to the fastening means (4) to the support (5), distributed on the perimeter of the sleeve (10).
7. The winding/unwinding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor means (3) include a crown (2) whereof the cross-section of the outer periphery fits in the inner cross-section of the drum (1) to guide the sliding therein, said cross-sections preventing any relative rotation of one in the other.
8. The winding/unwinding device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said crown (2) is placed in the vicinity of the end of the motor means (3) opposite their fastening means (4) to the first support (5), and secured to said motor means (3) in rotation.
9. The winding/unwinding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor means consist of an electric motor (3) including means for connecting to a power source implemented concomitantly with the securing to the first support (5) by the fastening means (4).

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