Abstract: A window shade includes a reel and a roller pivotally connected with a head frame at two spaced-apart positions, a clutch operatively connected with the roller and switchable between an engaged state preventing the roller from rotating in a first direction and a disengaged state for rotation of the roller in an opposite second direction, and a panel assembly including multiple transversal vanes respectively connected with a first and a second panel. The reel is rotatable to wind and unwind the panel assembly with the first panel remaining in contact with the roller. The panel assembly is switchable between an open state for light passage and a closed state blocking light passage by rotating the transversal vanes. The reel is rotatable in an unwinding direction while the roller is kept stationary by the clutch in the engaged state for switching the panel assembly from the closed to open state.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a plurality of rotary members, a spring and a latch. The rotary members are rotationally linked to one another and pivotally connected with the housing, wherein the rotary members include a rotary drum that is connected with a suspension member and is rotatable relative to the housing for winding or unwinding the suspension member. The spring is assembled with the housing, and can bias the rotary drum in rotation for winding the suspension member. The latch is assembled with the housing, the latch being movable to engage with and disengage from one of the rotary members to respectively prevent and allow rotation of the rotary drum.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a cord drum and a first gear fixedly connected with each other and pivotally connected with the housing, the cord drum being connected with two second suspension cords, a second gear pivotally connected with the housing, two spring reels respectively pivotally connected at two opposite sides of the second gear so that the two spring reels are respectively rotatable relative to the second gear, the second gear and the two spring reels being disposed in a coaxial manner, a third gear pivotally connected with the housing and respectively meshed with the first and second gears, the third gear being fixedly connected with two second take-up reel at two opposite sides, and two springs each assembled around one corresponding spring reel and having one end connected with one corresponding take-up reel.

Abstract: A retaining device for an operating member of a window shade includes a casing having an opening, a sliding part having a first and a second inner cavity, and a spring respectively connected with the sliding part and the casing. The sliding part is assembled with the casing, and is movable between a first and a second position, wherein the sliding part in the first position occludes the opening and has the first inner cavity exposed for insertion of an operating member of a window shade, and the sliding part in the second position has the first inner cavity retracted toward an interior of the casing while the second inner cavity overlaps with the opening for facilitating travel of an operating member of a window shade through the opening and the second inner cavity. The spring is operable to urge the sliding part to move toward the first position.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a window shade includes an electric motor for driving a displacement of a movable rail, a motor controller electrically coupled to the electric motor and having a first and a second connector, a power supply, a wired control interface, and a removable wireless adapter operable to convert a wireless signal outputted by a wireless control interface to an electric signal. The actuating mechanism has a first configuration supporting wireless control, and a second configuration supporting wired-only control, the wireless adapter being respectively connected with the power supply, the wired control interface and the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the first configuration, and the wireless adapter being removed and the power supply and the wired control interface being respectively connected with the first and second connectors of the motor controller in the second configuration.

Abstract: A window shade includes a reel coupled to a first control module and connected with a panel assembly, a lift actuator coupled to a second control module, and a switchable coupling mechanism. The panel assembly has an open state for light passage and a closed state blocking light passage. The first control module can drive the reel in rotation for winding and unwinding the panel assembly. The second control module can drive the lift actuator in rotation for switching the panel assembly to the open or closed state. The coupling mechanism has a coupling state in which it rotationally couples the lift actuator to the first control module, and an uncoupling state in which it rotationally uncouples the lift actuator from the first control module. The coupling mechanism is in the uncoupling state while the panel assembly is closed, and in the coupling state while the panel assembly is opened.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a cordless window shade includes a housing, a rotary drum pivotally connected with the housing and having an inner cavity, a spring shaft connected with the housing coaxial to the rotary drum and extending in the inner cavity of the rotary drum, and a spring disposed in the inner cavity of the rotary drum. The rotary drum has a first and a second circumferential region that surround the inner cavity of the rotary drum, the first and second circumferential regions being respectively connected with the first and second suspension cords. The spring has a first and a second end respectively anchored with the spring shaft and the rotary drum, the spring biasing the rotary drum in rotation to respectively wind the first and second suspension cords around the first and second circumferential regions of the rotary drum.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a fixed support shaft, a rotary drum pivotally connected with the support shaft, the rotary drum being rotatable for winding or unwinding a shading structure, and a limiting mechanism disposed inside the rotary drum and including a threaded portion provided on the support shaft, a stop portion, a limiting part, and a follower engaged with the threaded portion, the stop portion and the limiting part being respectively disposed adjacent to a first and a second end of the threaded portion, and the follower being rotationally coupled to and slidable relative to the rotary drum. The rotary drum is rotatable in a first direction to drive the follower to slide toward a first position for engagement with the limiting part, and in an opposite second direction to drive the follower to slide toward a second position for engagement with the stop portion.

Abstract: A window shade includes a reel and an aperture control module respectively assembled with a head frame, and a panel assembly including transversal vanes respectively connected with two panels. The reel is rotatable to wind and unwind the panel assembly. The aperture control module includes a positioning arm connected with a rubbing roller, and is operable to rotate the rubbing roller relative to the positioning arm and to displace the positioning arm and the rubbing roller between two positions, the rubbing roller being displaced away from a sidewall of the head frame in a first position and pressing the panel assembly against the sidewall in a second position, the rubbing roller being further rotatable relative to the positioning arm in the second position to cause relative sliding between the two panels for switching the panel assembly from a closed state blocking light passage to an open state allowing light passage.

Abstract: A window shade includes a reel and a roller pivotally connected with a head frame at two spaced-apart positions, a clutch operatively connected with the roller and switchable between an engaged state preventing the roller from rotating in a first direction and a disengaged state for rotation of the roller in an opposite second direction, and a panel assembly including multiple transversal vanes respectively connected with a first and a second panel. The reel is rotatable to wind and unwind the panel assembly with the first panel remaining in contact with the roller. The panel assembly is switchable between an open state for light passage and a closed state blocking light passage by rotating the transversal vanes. The reel is rotatable in an unwinding direction while the roller is kept stationary by the clutch in the engaged state for switching the panel assembly from the closed to open state.

Abstract: A spring drive system for a cordless window shade includes multiple rotary drums respectively connected with suspension cords, and one or more springs respectively connected with the rotary drums. The rotary drums are operatively connected with each other, so that they can synchronously rotate to wind and unwind the suspension cords. Moreover, each of the rotary drums is connected with an end of one spring. The spring torque can act to sustain a bottom part of the window shade at any desired height, and drive rotation of the rotary drums to wind the suspension cords when the bottom rail is raised upward.

Abstract: A control module of a window shade includes a drive axle affixed with a sleeve, an arrester assembled around the sleeve, a cord drum connected with an operating cord, a clutch operable to couple and decouple the cord drum with respect to the drive axle, and a release unit including a stick that is operatively connected with the arrester. The arrester blocks rotation of the drive axle in a locking state, and has an unlocking state allowing rotation of the drive axle. The operating cord is pulled to drive the cord drum in rotation and turn the clutch to a coupling state, such that the rotation of the cord drum is transmitted through the clutch to drive the drive axle in rotation for raising the shading structure. Moreover, the stick is operable to switch the arrester from to the unlocking state for lowering the shading structure by gravity action.

Abstract: The structures described herein use an actuating system that can selectively switch between a lower and a raise mode of operation by rotating a rod assembly in two different directions, and use a downward displacement of a pull member to lower and raise the window shade depending on its switching state. The actuating systems are simple to operate, allow convenient adjustment of the window shade, and are safe as the pull member has a limited length of extension.

Abstract: A control system for a window shade includes a suspension member, a first and a second casing portion, a rotary drum, a torsion spring, a coupling member, a transmission axle, a central gear, a ring and planetary gears. The rotary drum is pivotally connected with the first casing portion, and is rotatable to wind and unwind the suspension member. The torsion spring can bias the rotary drum for winding the suspension member, and has a first and a second end respectively affixed with the second casing portion and a coupling member. The transmission axle is disposed through the torsion spring, and is rotationally coupled with the rotary drum and the central gear. The ring is affixed with the second casing portion and has protruding teeth. The planetary gears are pivotally supported by the coupling member, and are respectively meshed with the central gear and the teeth of the ring.

Abstract: The structures described herein use an actuating system that can selectively switch between a lower and a raise mode of operation by rotating a rod assembly, and use a downward displacement of a pull member to lower and raise the window shade depending on whether its switching state. The actuating systems are simple to operate, allow convenient adjustment of the window shade, and are safe as the pull member has a limited length of extension.

Abstract: The structures described herein use an actuating system that can selectively switch between a lower and a raise mode of operation by rotating a rod assembly in two different directions, and use a downward displacement of a pull member to lower and raise the window shade depending on its switching state. The actuating systems are simple to operate, allow convenient adjustment of the window shade, and are safe as the pull member has a limited length of extension.

Abstract: An actuating system for a window shade includes a suspension member, a casing having a fixed protrusion, a transmission axle disposed through the casing, a rotary drum arranged in the casing and rotationally coupled with the transmission axle, and an impeding part connected with the rotary drum and affixed with an end of the suspension member. The rotary drum is rotatable in a first direction for winding the suspension member, and in a second direction for unwinding the suspension member. The impeding part is movable relative to the rotary drum between a first and a second position, the impeding part when in the first position being movable with the rotary drum past the protrusion in any of the first and second direction, and the impeding part when in the second position being engageable with the protrusion to block rotation of the rotary drum in the second direction.

Abstract: The structures described herein use an actuating system that can selectively switch between a lower and a raise mode of operation by rotating a rod assembly, and use a downward displacement of a pull member to lower and raise the window shade depending on whether its switching state. The actuating systems are simple to operate, allow convenient adjustment of the window shade, and are safe as the pull member has a limited length of extension.

Abstract: A control system for a window shade includes a suspension member, a first and a second casing portion, a rotary drum, a torsion spring, a coupling member, a transmission axle, a central gear, a ring and planetary gears. The rotary drum is pivotally connected with the first casing portion, and is rotatable to wind and unwind the suspension member. The torsion spring can bias the rotary drum for winding the suspension member, and has a first and a second end respectively affixed with the second casing portion and a coupling member. The transmission axle is disposed through the torsion spring, and is rotationally coupled with the rotary drum and the central gear. The ring is affixed with the second casing portion and has protruding teeth. The planetary gears are pivotally supported by the coupling member, and are respectively meshed with the central gear and the teeth of the ring.

Abstract: A motorized window shade includes a covering structure arranged between a fixed and a movable rail, an electric motor operable to drive displacement of the movable rail relative to the fixed rail, a control interface operable to control operation of the electric motor, and a motor controller respectively connected with the electric motor and the control interface. The control interface includes a first, a second and a third button, the first and second buttons being respectively operable to cause displacement of the movable rail in two opposite directions. The motor controller can record a current position of the movable rail as a limit position of the movable rail in response to a pressure concurrently applied on the third button and one of the first and second buttons. In some embodiments, methods of operating the motorized window shade are also described.