IP Library Granted Patent US 8,564,162
Granted Patent B2
US 8,564,162 · App. 12/618,658 · Granted Oct 22, 2013

Actuator for operating a sliding curtain

Inventors: Olivier Charleux (Thyez, FR); Scot Cochran (San Diego, CA); Jean-Michel Perache (Taninges, FR); Rich Scharf (Escondido, CA)
Assignee: Somfy SAS
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,564,162
App. No.
12/618,658
Granted
Oct 22, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

This electro-mechanical actuator is used to operate a curtain mounted to slide along an axis. It comprises a motor ( 24 ), a power supply unit ( 22 ) for powering the motor and a box ( 20 ), the motor ( 24 ) and the power supply unit ( 22 ) being received in a first housing (L 1 ) that is internal to the box ( 20 ). The box ( 20 ) forms at least one second internal housing (L 2 , L′ 2 ), separated from the first internal housing by a wall ( 35, 43 ) of the box, and in which an electrical or electronic component ( 28, 50 ) of the actuator is received that is distinct from the motor ( 24 ) and from the power supply unit ( 22 ). A removable cover ( 33, 41 ) isolates the or each second housing (L 2 , L′ 2 ) from the outside of the box ( 20 ).

Claims (24)

1. An electro-mechanical actuator for operating a curtain mounted to slide along an axis, said actuator comprising

a motor configured to drive a belt for opening and shutting the curtain,

a power supply unit comprising printed circuits for powering the motor, and

a box, the motor and the power supply unit being received in a first internal housing that is internal to the box,

wherein the box forms at least one second internal housing, separated from the first internal housing by a wall of the box, and in which an electrical or electronic component of the actuator is received that is distinct from the motor and from the power supply unit, and

wherein a removable cover isolates the at least one second internal housing from the outside of the box.

2. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the first internal housing and the at least one second internal housing are formed inside a main body of the box.

3. An actuator according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one second internal housing is formed by a longitudinal trough provided in the main body.

4. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one second housing is delimited, on the one hand, by a main hollow body of the box which forms said first housing and, on the other hand, by the removable cover.

5. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one second housing receives at least a portion of a power cable extending between a zone of the box that is situated in the vicinity of the power supply unit and a zone that is remote therefrom.

6. An actuator according to claim 5 , wherein the wall is provided with a through opening for enabling the power cable to pass between the first housing and the at least one second housing.

7. An actuator according to claim 6 , wherein the power cable passes through an anti-traction ring installed at the opening in the wall.

8. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is mounted via two series of runners on a main body of the box that defines the first internal housing.

9. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the cover and/or a main body of the box that defines the first internal housing is/are provided with means for holding an element of trim for the box.

10. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the outside section of the box has an external geometrical shape without any sudden change of slope or of angle.

11. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the box has a removable base, said base forming a support for the power supply unit and/or for the motor.

12. An actuator according to claim 11 , wherein the removable base is provided with a control and configuration panel for controlling and configuring the actuator.

13. An actuator according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one second internal housing is formed by the removable base mounted at one end of a main body of the box that defines the first internal housing, and wherein an electronic control module for controlling the actuator is received in the at least one second internal housing.

14. An actuator according to claim 13 , wherein the first internal housing and at least one second internal housing are formed inside a main body of the box and wherein the at least one second internal housing extends along the main body and receives a portion of a power cable for powering the elements received in the first housing, and

wherein another second internal housing defined by the removable base receives an electronic control module for controlling the actuator.

15. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is provided with a zone of weakness, so that it can be cut out to form a cable passage.

16. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein a detection member configured to detect the position of the carriage driven by the belt is situated inside the box, in the first internal housing.

17. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein a detection member configured to detect the position of a carriage driven by the belt is situated inside the box, in a housing separated from the first internal housing.

18. An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein said power supply unit is connected to a power supply terminal via a power cable.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: SOMFY SAS
To: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
Reel/Frame 054827/0845 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2009
From: CHARLEUX, OLIVIER; COCHRAN, SCOT; PERACHE, JEAN-MICHEL; SCHARF, RICH
To: SOMFY SAS
Reel/Frame 023653/0660 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 08 57800 · Nov 17, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100122781A1 · May 20, 2010