Patents by Inventor Eric Lagarde

Eric Lagarde has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12286836
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is integrated into a blackout or sun-shading device that includes a screen, top and bottom bars, and top and bottom winding shafts. The screen is between the bars. The top bar is connected to the top winding shaft by first cords. The bottom bar is connected to the bottom winding shaft by second cords. The electromechanical actuator includes first and second transmission devices and an electric motor that drives the shafts. The first transmission device connects to the motor and the top winding shaft and includes a first clutch. The second transmission device connects to the electric motor and the bottom winding shaft and includes a second clutch. When the motor is activated with only one clutch engaged, only one winding shaft is rotated. Moreover, when the motor is activated electrically and the clutches are engaged, the winding shafts are rotated by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Norbert Dupielet, Thierry Tollance
  • Patent number: 12123257
    Abstract: A sun protection apparatus includes a shading device, including an upper bar, a lower bar and a screen disposed between the upper and lower bars. The apparatus also includes a motorized drive device, designed to deploy and fold away the screen, including a first electromechanical actuator, configured to move the upper bar, a second electromechanical actuator, configured to move the lower bar, and a control unit, configured to control the first and second actuators. The control unit controls the first actuator so as to move the upper bar then the second actuator so as to move the lower bar depending on the position and/or movement of the upper bar, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Norbert Dupielet, Eric Lagarde, Frédéric Maraval, Jean-Charles Benoin, Jean-Michel Perache, Jean-Charles Boeri
  • Patent number: 11840885
    Abstract: A method for detecting an obstacle opposing the movement of a screen in a home automation closure or sun protection system includes an electromechanical actuator driving movement of the screen. The electromechanical actuator includes a torque support, a housing, an output shaft, and an electric motor including a stator and a rotor. The system includes a winding shaft rotating the screen and a connecting accessory between the electromechanical actuator's output shaft and the winding shaft. The method includes: determining an angular displacement value of the rotor with respect to the stator; determining angular displacement of the winding shaft relative to the housing or torque support of the electromechanical actuator; determining angular deformation of the kinematic chain between the electric motor and the winding shaft by comparing these two angular displacements; and determining the presence of an obstacle to screen movement from an angular deformation exceeding a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Arnaud Darlot, Eric Lagarde, Frédéric Maraval, Héléna Robert
  • Patent number: 11781378
    Abstract: A shading device comprises a power supply device comprising a battery, a first and a second electrical connection elements and a resilient element. The battery is disposed at a holding device for holding the screen. The first element is disposed at a load bar or the screen and configured so as to be electrically connected to an external electrical supply source. The second element is disposed at the holding device and configured to cooperate with the first element. The resilient element is configured to be fixed on the load bar or on the screen. The first element is integral with the resilient element. Furthermore, the resilient element is configured to compensate a misalignment of the first electrical connection element with respect to the second electrical connection element, when the screen reaches a position for recharging the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Stéphane Caregnato, Miguel Leleu, Clément Stephan, Eric Lagarde, Norbert Dupielet
  • Patent number: 11643874
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (11) for a closure, obscuring or solar protection installation (6) includes a motor assembly (16), including an electric motor (261) and a reduction gearbox (265), first and second (133) mechanical modules for filtering vibrations, and an output shaft (20), inserted at least partially in a casing (17), the electromechanical actuator (11) extends along a longitudinal axis (X), the first and the second mechanical modules (33, 133) being disposed on either side of the motor assembly (16) along the longitudinal axis (X) and each having a rigid transmission coupling, with at least a first degree of freedom perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X), allowing the motor assembly (16) to move along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), the electromechanical actuator also comprising at least one elastic module (130) that limits the movement of the motor assembly (16) along the perpendicular plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Héléna Robert, Dylan Mohamed
  • Patent number: 11643873
    Abstract: Home-automation actuator (11) comprising a motor (16), a housing (17), a mechanical module for filtering vibrations (33; 33a; 33b; 33c), a module for absorbing vibrations (130) and a torque support (21), the mechanical module comprising a first end (35, 135) and a second end (39, 139), —the first end (35, 135) being connected to the housing (17), —the second end (39, 139) being connected to the torque support (21), the mechanical module providing the connection between the housing (17) and the torque support so as to rotate around a first axis (X) of the actuator, the absorption module translationally connecting the housing (17) to the torque support (21) allowing a rotational degree of freedom between the housing (17) and the torque support (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Cyril Schuehmacher, Sébastien Lemaître, Jérôme Pezet, Adrien Brondex, Eric Lagarde
  • Patent number: 11555349
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for winding a screen (10) which comprises a tubular winder (12) defining a reference axis (100); a first wall attachment (18A) for fastening a first axial end portion (14A) of the tubular winder (12) to a first wall (16A) in a use position of the screen-winding device (10); and a second wall attachment (18B) for fastening a second axial end portion (14B) of the tubular winder (12) to a second wall (16B) in the use position of the screen-winding device (10). The first wall attachment (18A) comprises at least one tab (54) for fastening to the first wall (16A) and at least one first hinge (58) supported by the fastening tab (54) in order to guide a pivoting of the tubular winder (12) about a first axis of articulation (200) that does not intersect with the reference axis (100) and, in the use position, orthogonal to the reference axis (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Somfy Activites SA
    Inventor: Eric Lagarde
  • Patent number: 11292048
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a spring for a spring brake, including a shaping and cutting step f) including the following sub-steps: —f1) shaping a raw wire into a coil with a plurality of raw turns, the raw wire having: raw portions that extend from the end of the raw wire over at least one raw turn, and an intermediate portion between the raw portions, —f2) separating the first raw portion and the second raw portion of the raw wire by cutting, after implementing sub-step f1), and —f3) shaping a first tab (5), at a first end of the intermediate portion, after sub-step f1), and —f4) shaping a second tab (7), at a second end of the intermediate portion opposite the first end, after sub-step f1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventor: Eric Lagarde
  • Publication number: 20210396076
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (11) for a closure, obscuring or solar protection installation (6) includes a motor assembly (16), including an electric motor (261) and a reduction gearbox (265), first and second (133) mechanical modules for filtering vibrations, and an output shaft (20), inserted at least partially in a casing (17. the electromechanical actuator (11) extends along a longitudinal axis (X), the first and the second mechanical modules (33, 133) being disposed on either side of the motor assembly (16) along the longitudinal axis (X) and each having a rigid transmission coupling, with at least a first degree of freedom perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X), allowing the motor assembly (16) to move along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), the electromechanical actuator also comprising at least one elastic module (130) that limits the movement of the motor assembly (16) along the perpendicular plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Héléna Robert, Dylan Mohamed
  • Patent number: 11149492
    Abstract: A method relates to the manufacture of a drum for a spring brake for an electromechanical actuator, the drum including a housing configured to house at least one helical spring, an input member and an output member. The housing has an internal friction surface configured to cooperate with at least one coil of the helical spring. The method includes at least one step of mechanical surface treatment of the inner surface of the housing of the drum, the mechanical surface treatment of the inner surface of the housing of the drum being a step of creating grooves on the inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Stéphane Heredia, Florian Bodet, Eric Lagarde, Antoine Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20210285286
    Abstract: Home-automation actuator (11) comprising a motor (16), a housing (17), a mechanical module for filtering vibrations (33; 33a; 33b; 33c), a module for absorbing vibrations (130) and a torque support (21), the mechanical module comprising a first end (35, 135) and a second end (39, 139), —the first end (35, 135) being connected to the housing (17), —the second end (39, 139) being connected to the torque support (21), the mechanical module providing the connection between the housing (17) and the torque support so as to rotate around a first axis (X) of the actuator, the absorption module translationally connecting the housing (17) to the torque support (21) allowing a rotational degree of freedom between the housing (17) and the torque support (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: Cyril Schuehmacher, Sébastien Lemaître, Jérôme Pezet, Adrien Brondex, Eric Lagarde
  • Patent number: 10655387
    Abstract: A range of motorized-drive devices (100, 200, 300) for screening blinds comprises: at least one first drive device (100) for driving a first screening blind, comprising a first support (102), a first shaft (104) rotating about a first axis of revolution (106) with respect to the first support (102), at least a winding drum (108) for winding a drive cord of the first screening blind, rotating as one with the first shaft (104), a first geared motor unit (110) for driving the first shaft (104), housed in the first support (102) and kinematically connected to the first shaft (104), preferably via an overdrive (112), and a first electronic control module (114) fixed remote from the first geared motor unit (110), and at least one second drive device (200) for driving a second screening blind, comprising a second support (202), a winding tube (204) for the second screening blind mounted in the second support (202) so as to rotate about a second axis of revolution (206) with respect to the second support (202), a sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Perache, Eric Lagarde
  • Patent number: 10626669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling an actuator for a mobile item of equipment in building comprising the steps consisting in: deploying a model (M) linking at least one modelling parameter (P) with at least one characteristic physical quantity (C) of the environment or of the operation of the actuator exhibiting a temporal evolution; collecting a set of measurement values (VCm) relating to the at least one characteristic physical quantity (C) of the environment or of the operation of the actuator in the course of a measurement interval (Tm), each measurement value (VCm) being associated with an instant (Tm) of the measurement interval (Tm); determining or correcting at least one value (VP) of the at least one modelling parameter (P) in such a way that a modelled temporal evolution (Ee) defined on the basis of the application of the model (M) of the at least one value (VP) of modelling parameter (P) corresponds to or approaches an observed temporal evolution (Eo) of the characteristic phy
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Norbert Dupielet, Frederic Maraval, Fabien Rousseau, Pierre Emmanuel Cavarec, Pierre Geriniere, Serge Neuman
  • Patent number: 10227822
    Abstract: A home-automation equipment includes a concealing device including a screen, a holding device of the screen, a first motorized drive device and an autonomous electrical energy supply device. The first device includes an electromechanical actuator which makes it possible to raise and lower the screen. The supply device includes a battery arranged on the holding device of the screen, a power supply cable and an electrical connection element that is electrically connected to the battery by the cable, the element being designed to be connected to an external electrical supply source, in order to recharge the battery. The concealing device includes a second motorized drive device including an electromechanical actuator making it possible to wind and unwind the cable on a winding spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITIES SA
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Norbert Dupielet
  • Patent number: 9909364
    Abstract: In order to control the light or air permeability of an elastic extensible screen (1) disposed between an area to be protected and an external area, and having a permeability that varies with a pulling force exerted on the screen, a motorized mechanism (3) adjusts the pulling force on the screen in response to a setpoint signal, which can be determined on the basis of one or a plurality of signals from one or a plurality of sensors (12, 14, 15), in particular light sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Pierre-Emmanuel Cavarec, Eric Lagarde, Serge Neuman
  • Publication number: 20170306697
    Abstract: A range of motorized-drive devices (100, 200, 300) for screening blinds comprises: at least one first drive device (100) for driving a first screening blind, comprising a first support (102), a first shaft (104) rotating about a first axis of revolution (106) with respect to the first support (102), at least a winding drum (108) for winding a drive cord of the first screening blind, rotating as one with the first shaft (104), a first geared motor unit (110) for driving the first shaft (104), housed in the first support (102) and kinematically connected to the first shaft (104), preferably via an overdrive (112), and a first electronic control module (114) fixed remote from the first geared motor unit (110), and at least one second drive device (200) for driving a second screening blind, comprising a second support (202), a winding tube (204) for the second screening blind mounted in the second support (202) so as to rotate about a second axis of revolution (206) with respect to the second support (202), a sec
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Perache, Eric Lagarde
  • Patent number: 9665084
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for winding a screen (12) comprises a winding drum (14) for winding the screen (12) which can rotate about an axis of rotation (16) with respect to a fixed frame of reference over more than one revolution between at least one first end-of-travel position and a second end-of-travel position, a motor assembly (30) comprising a motor (32) equipped with a stator (32.1) intended to be fixed to a fixed support (23, 26) and a rotor (32.2) kinematically connected to the winding drum (14). A first measurement assembly (51) comprises a first encoder (46) secured to the rotor (32.2), a first sensor for reading the first encoder (46) and generating a first counting signal when the first encoder (46) turns. First processing means (50) generate, as a function of the first counting signal, a first signal indicative of the position of the screen, which signal is monotonous when the drum moves from the first end-of-travel position to the second end-of-travel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Ronan Georgeault, Laurent Montéremand, Serge Blanc, Joël Ramos
  • Patent number: 9599996
    Abstract: A method to be used for controlling a screen (1) including a load bar (2), a flexible element (4) supporting the load bar, and at least one controlled member for winding the flexible member, in order to move the load bar (2) between a first high or low position and a second low or high position, the movement resulting from an angular movement of the winding member. The method includes at least one step in which the angular movement of the of the winding member (52) is controlled with a temporal set value (?(t)) of the instantaneous angular position (?(t)) of the winding member (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Frederic Maraval
  • Patent number: 9371686
    Abstract: An actuator (2) for driving a blind with adjustable slats, the actuator including a housing (20) inside which a motor (22) is installed, the motor driving a first output shaft (21) that projects on either side of the housing (20), characterised in that the actuator further includes a second output shaft (23) of which the axis of rotation (X23) is parallel to and not coinciding with that of the first output shaft (21) and controlled coupling elements (26) making it possible to selectively transmit a rotational movement from the first output shaft (21) to the second output shaft (23), and in that the second output shaft (23) projects on either side of the housing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventor: Eric LaGarde
  • Patent number: 9080382
    Abstract: A screen (1) includes a load bar (2), a flexible element (3) supporting the load bar, and a controlled member (4) for winding the flexible member, wherein the member is controlled according to a method that includes controlling the angular movement of the winding member (4) with a temporal set value (?(t)) of the instantaneous angular position of the winding member, the temporal set value being predetermined from a profile representative of the desired instantaneous axial position for the load bar upon a movement between the first and second positions, using a polynomial function of a degree higher than or equal to 2, which approximates the relation between a value of the instantaneous axial position (H(t)) of the load bar and an instantaneous angular position (?(t)) of the winding member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Eric Lagarde, Frederic Maraval