Listed in the following are the major features and advantages of the micro-powered Electronic Power Angling Rod, Wand, or baton for a Venetian mini-blind.
Features: |
1. The Electronic Power Angling Rod will automatically angle open and close a horizontal mini blind, in a cyclic manner , dictated by the setting and rising of the sun.
2. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be manually controlled at any time by the push of a button switch, or galvanic touch switch located at the bottom of the rod / wand or can be remotely controlled at a distance by an infrared light signal.
3. The Electronic Power Angling Rod remembers where it should be angled in respect to light conditions and responds accordingly to keep the automatic function in accord with those conditions, no matter what angle, open or closed,the blind is set to manually.
4. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be programmed to respond to bright hot sunlight. The already angled open blind (daylight position), will temporarily angle to the closed position when a preset temperature level is reached, and then open again as the heat level drops back down below the temperature setting. The temperature trigger point to which the device responds is adjustable.
5. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be programmed to work only in the manual mode (automatic function is set to off position).
6. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be programmed to reorient the blind angle starting and stopping positions. For example, the user has the choice of opening and closing the blind angle from top closed, to horizontal open or bottom closed to horizontal open.
7. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be programmed to respond to different ambient light levels. This prevents the device from responding to artificial light sources such as porch lights, city street lights, and the like. The hysteresis, inherent in the electronics, and with an added delay timer circuit included,which temporarily disables the light level detectors, until fluctuating light levels pass, prevents any oscillation effects. If not for these features, the mini blind could repeatedly cycle open and close several times at the approach of dawn or dusk, especially as the rays pass through obstructions, ie. trees, bushes, buildings, houses, mountains, hills, etc.
8. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be programmed to angle open at five predetermined positions. They are approximately a 20 degree angle, 30 degree angle, 45 degree angle, a fully open horizontal angle and back to a 45 degree angle, but with the blind angle oriented in the opposite direction. Angles are of course dependent upon the initial angle, which should be horizontal.
Advantages |
1. The Electronic Power Angling Rod functions in an autonomous manner, with every component tied together in one self contained housing, batteries included.
2. The Electronic Power Angling Rod is micro-powered by a set of AAA or N alkaline batteries for up to three years before replacement is needed. The Electronic Power Angling Rod draws a minuscule 4 to 9 micro-amperes, except the two seconds or less, the motor is on, from two to four times a day.
3. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can retrofit to most any brand of mini blind manufactured today. The rotating output shaft connected to the gearhead, can be raised or lowered by means of a telescopic linear rachet device built into the rotating output shaft. This allows theElectronic Power Angling Rod to be adapted to the many varying lengths of input shafts protruding from the head rail on the multitude of existing and new mini blinds that have and are being manufactured today.
4. The Electronic Power Angling Rod melds into the total horizontal blind design, just as the manually adjustable rod / wand it replaced.
5. The Electronic Power Angling Rod is completely solid state. There are no relays, external or internal mechanical position switches, only one moving part, the motor gear head combination which is connected to a short hollow shaft containing a small magnet. The magnet triggers an adjacent Hall effect sensor for counting the number of rotations needed to position the angle of the mini blind.
6. All the electronic components are off-the-shelf, inexpensive, and available in through-hole or surface mount.
7. Because the Electronic Power Angling Rod is self contained with no unsightly box shaped housings, dangling wires, external position switches, it therefore requires no labor intensive installation. There are manufacturers that make and install at great cost, $200.00 to $800.00 per window, similar devices. Their electric anglers are boxy shaped or if hidden, must be installed by experts which install gear head motors in the mini blind housing and then install wiring in the wall to a control box and plug-in wall adaptor. These customized mini blind angling devices are obviously not affordable by everyone.
8. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be installed by the user, and attached to the mini-blind in just minutes.
9. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can help save energy. In winter, by insuring passive solar heating through windows during daylight hours and closing at night to help insulate from heat loss. In summer, by closing during direct sunlight exposure, to help lower air conditioning costs.
10. The Electronic Power Angling Rod can be a psychological deterrent to opportunistic burglars, by allowing them to think a dwelling or business is occupied, when in reality is not.
11. And finally, the Electronic Power Angling Rod can be remotely controlled at a distance, by infrared light signal. This is highly advantageous if the window is located in a high place. No need for very long angling rods / wands that extend down to where they can be reached.