Motorized blind and manual switching clutch structure thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12497831-B2
Application number	US-202318382066-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 20, 2023
Priority date	Nov 10, 2022
Publication date	Dec 16, 2025
Grant date	Dec 16, 2025

Abstract

A motorized blind and a manual switching clutch structure thereof are disclosed. The motorized blind includes a blind assembly, a spring power module, an electric motor module and the manual switching clutch structure. The blind assembly includes a bottom rail which can be driven by the spring power module to move. The manual switching clutch structure is disposed between the spring power module and the electric motor module. By rotating a knob of the manual switching clutch structure, the motorized blind can be switched between a motor driving mode in which the electric motor module participates in the movement of the bottom rail by driving the spring power module, and a manual driving mode in which the spring power module individually participates in the movement of the bottom rail.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A manual switching clutch structure, comprising:
a clutch rod, having a first end and a second end, and rotatable around a longitudinal axis thereof; an input member, fixedly connected with the clutch rod as being fitted on the clutch rod and close to the first end of the clutch rod, the input member comprising a first clutch portion extending along the longitudinal axis of the clutch rod and extending towards the second end of the clutch rod; an output member, fitted on the clutch rod and close to the second end of the clutch rod, and rotatable relative to the clutch rod, the output member comprising a second clutch portion extending along the longitudinal axis of the clutch rod and extending towards the first end of the clutch rod, wherein the second clutch portion is opposing to the first clutch portion; and a knob, comprising a first surface, an outer peripheral wall, a high-end portion and a low-end portion, wherein the first surface faces the output member, and the high-end portion and the low-end portion radially extend from the outer peripheral wall, wherein the high-end portion is closer to the first surface than the low-end portion, and the high-end portion and the low-end portion are respectively configured to be in contact with the second end of the clutch rod; when either the high-end portion or the low-end portion is in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the other one of the high-end portion and the low-end portion is not in contact with the second end of the clutch rod; wherein when the knob is configured as the low-end portion in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the first clutch portion of the input member is engaged with the second clutch portion of the output member; when the knob is configured as the high-end portion in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the first clutch portion of the input member is disengaged from the second clutch portion of the output member.

2 . The manual switching clutch structure of claim 1 , wherein the knob further comprises an inclined portion connecting between the high-end portion and the low-end portion; when the knob is rotated, one of the high-end portion and the low-end portion gradually approaches the second end of the clutch rod through the inclined portion, by which the clutch rod and the input member are driven to gradually move along the longitudinal axis of the clutch rod.

3 . The manual switching clutch structure of claim 1 , wherein the first clutch portion of the input member comprises a first key and a first groove, and the second clutch portion of the output member comprises a second key and a second groove; when the knob is configured as the low-end portion in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the first key is opposing to and engaged with the second groove; when the knob is configured as the high-end portion in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the first key is disengaged from the second groove.

4 . The manual switching clutch structure of claim 1 , further comprising a casing and a restoring assembly, wherein the casing comprises a first plate and a second plate opposing to each other, and the clutch rod, the input member, the output member and the restoring assembly are received between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate faces the first end of the clutch rod, and the second plate faces the second end of the clutch rod; the restoring assembly is disposed between the first plate and a connecting surface of the input member and comprises a bushing and a coil spring received in the bushing; the clutch rod runs through the bushing and the coil spring; as the coil spring has two ends respectively abutting against the bushing and the connecting surface of the input member, the bushing abuts against the first plate, and the clutch rod and the input member are movable along the longitudinal axis of the clutch rod relative to the bushing; when the knob is rotated to a state in which the low-end portion is in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the coil spring stretches and pushes the connecting surface of the input member to move away from the busing, such that the first clutch portion of the input member engages with the second clutch portion of the output member; when the knob is rotated to a state in which the high-end portion is in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the clutch rod and the input member move towards the bushing, such that the first clutch portion of the input member disengages from the second clutch portion of the output member, and the coil spring is compressed as the connecting surface of the input member approaches the bushing.

5 . The manual switching clutch structure of claim 4 , wherein the input member further comprises an annular base concavely formed on the connecting surface along the longitudinal axis of the clutch rod and in a direction away from the bushing and for receiving a part of the bushing and the coil spring; the annular base comprises abase surface and an opening peripheral side; the coil spring has a first terminal abutting against the base surface; the opening peripheral side has a blocking flange extended inwardly from a peripheral rim of the opening peripheral side; the base surface has a blocking hole formed on the base surface; the bushing comprises a circular base and a sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve portion receives the coil spring, and the coil spring has a second terminal abutting against an inner side surface of the circular base; the circular base has a bore where the clutch rod runs through; the sleeve portion has a blocking protrusion located on an outer side edge thereof, wherein the blocking protrusion is configured to block one of the blocking flange and the blocking hole of the annular base for limiting motion travel of the clutch rod and the input member.

6 . The manual switching clutch structure of claim 4 , wherein the second plate comprises a through hole by which the second end of the clutch rod is exposed from an outer side surface of the second plate; the knob is disposed on the outer side surface and rotatable relative to the second plate for making one of the high-end portion and the low-end portion of the knob in contact with the second end of the clutch rod.

7 . The manual switching clutch structure of claim 6 , wherein the second plate further comprises a limit hole in a curved shape and located on the outer side surface of the second plate and corresponding to the knob in location; the knob further comprises a limit strip extending from the first surface of the knob and extending perpendicularly towards the second plate, and the limit strip is in a curved shape and situated in the limiting hole; the limit hole limits motion of the limit strip for limiting rotational travel of the knob.

8 . The manual switching clutch structure of claim 6 , wherein the second plate further comprises a position member disposed on the outer side surface of the second plate and extending in a direction perpendicular to the outer side surface of the second plate, and the position member faces at least part of the outer peripheral wall of the knob; the position member has a rib thereon defining a first area and a second area on the position member divided by the rib; the knob further comprises a first bump and a second bump protruding from a position on the outer peripheral wall of the knob facing the position member; when the knob is configured as the low-end portion in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the second bump is in a position corresponding to the first area of the position member; when the knob is configured as the high-end portion in contact with the second end of the clutch rod, the first bump

Assignees

• Nien Made Entpr Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nien Chao-Hung
• Chiu Chin-Chu
• Cheng hui-ping

Classifications

• F16D11/14

  with clutching members movable only axially (F16D11/02, F16D11/08 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16D2300/24

  Concentric actuation rods, e.g. actuation rods extending concentrically through a shaft · CPC title

• E06B2009/3222

  Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords · CPC title

• E06B9/74 Primary

  adapted for selective electrical or manual operation · CPC title

• E06B9/322 Primary

  Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives ({operating devices E06B9/68} ; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34) · CPC title