WO2017026616A1

WO2017026616A1 - Window with function for residential environment improvement

Info

Publication number: WO2017026616A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/002257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Myoung Seok Oh; Joon Woo Kim; Do Young Lee; Seung Jung Lee; Cha Nam Kim
Original assignee: Lg Hausys, Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-08-11
Filing date: 2016-03-07
Publication date: 2017-02-16
Also published as: DE112016002220T5; JP6510727B2; KR101935980B1; CN110500008A; KR20170019503A; CN107849893A; CN107849893B; CN110500008B; JP2018531330A

Abstract

Disclosed is a window that is capable of improving residential environment through various functions, such as automatic opening and closing of a sash, natural ventilation, light adjustment for switching between transparent and opaque states of window glass, and opening and closing notification including sensing of forced opening and closing of the sash, and that is capable of enabling the various functions to be controlled using a terminal, such as a smartphone, in real time regardless of place.

Description

WINDOW WITH FUNCTION FOR RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT

The present invention relates to a window with a function for residential environment improvement, and more particularly to a window that is capable of enabling various functions, such as automatic opening and closing of a sash, natural ventilation, light adjustment for switching between transparent and opaque states of window glass, and opening and closing notification including sensing of forced opening and closing of the sash, to be controlled using a terminal, such as a smartphone, in real time regardless of place.

In general, a window serves as a wall that isolates the indoors from the outdoors and, in addition, serves to let sunlight and fresh air in for indoor ventilation.

In recent years, a window system has been proposed which includes automatic sash opening and closing, ventilation, and security systems incorporated therein for user convenience in addition to a simple function of opening and closing the window.

For example, an automatic opening and closing apparatus that is capable of slidably opening and closing a sash via a screw shaft, which is rotated by a driving device, in order to automatically open and close the sash is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0915952.

However, most automatic sash opening and closing apparatuses and ventilation apparatuses are configured such that users directly manipulate the apparatuses indoors using remote controllers in a state in which the users are located near the apparatuses. While the users are out, the users may not check whether the ventilation apparatuses are operating or whether the sashes are open or closed. In addition, when it rains, it is not possible for the user to close the sashes if the users are out.

Meanwhile, a security system for protection against burglars and prevention of forced entry is configured such that a plurality of sensors is mounted at places where forced entry is expected, and, when signals sensed by the sensors indicate such forced entry, an alarm is generated, or a security company or a police box is informed of the forced entry. An example of the window security system is disposed in Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0310214.

In the conventional security system, however, a signal indicating the forced entry is transmitted only to contacts set when the security system was initially installed. As a result, it is not possible for the user to transmit the signal to other new contacts.

Furthermore, it is not possible for the user to control the security system while the user is out, with the result that it is not possible to check whether the security system is operating normally.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a window that is capable of improving residential environment through various functions, such as automatic opening and closing of a sash, natural ventilation, light adjustment for switching between transparent and opaque states of window glass, and opening and closing notification including sensing of forced opening and closing of the sash, and that is capable of enabling the various functions to be controlled using a terminal, such as a smartphone, in real time regardless of place.

The above and other objects can be accomplished by the present invention described below.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, provided is a window including a frame and at least one pair of sashes mounted in the frame such that the sashes can be opened and closed in a sliding fashion, wherein the window further includes an automatic opening and closing unit including a driving motor mounted at a sliding sash, one of the sashes, and a driving roller configured to be rotated by power from the driving motor, in a state in which the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller is in contact with one surface of a stationary sash, which is mounted adjacent to the driving roller, for slidably opening and closing the sliding sash, a natural ventilation unit mounted in the sashes for letting fresh air in, a light adjustment unit mounted to glass provided in the sashes for adjusting the light transmittance of the glass to switch the state of the glass between a transparent state and an opaque state, an opening and closing notification unit including a sensor mounted to the window for sensing whether the sliding sash has been opened or closed in real time, and a control unit for selectively controlling the units using a user's wireless communication terminal and for performing control so as to display the states of the units on a display window of the wireless communication terminal in real time.

The automatic opening and closing unit may further include an electronic clutch mounted on a shaft, which connects the driving motor and the driving roller to each other in order to manually open and close the sliding sash, for selectively interrupting the transmission of the power from the motor to the driving roller.

The automatic opening and closing unit may be mounted in a mullion of the sliding sash, at which the sashes meet each other, on the upper part and/or the lower part of the mullion.

The driving roller may be made of rubber or urethane, and a plurality of grooves may be formed at regular intervals in the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller in order to increase the friction between the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller and the surface of the stationary sash when the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller contacts the surface of the stationary sash.

The surface of the sash, which contacts the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller, is provided with a pad having protrusions configured to be engaged with the grooves in order to prevent slippage of the driving roller when the driving roller is initially rotated.

The automatic opening and closing unit may further include a safety sensor for sensing whether a person or an object passes through the frame while the sliding sash is being closed in order to immediately interrupt the operation of the driving motor.

The automatic opening and closing unit may further include a pushing device for tightly pushing the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller to the surface of the sash, and the pushing device may include a sliding member having one side coupled to the shaft via a bearing and the other side slidably coupled to a stationary member, fixed to the sliding sash, a support member fixed to the sliding sash such that the support member is spaced apart from the sliding member in a direction in which the sliding member slides, the support member having a fastening hole, and a manipulation member screw-coupled into the fastening hole in a state in which the tip end of the manipulation member is in contact with one surface of the sliding member so as to push the sliding member.

The sliding member may be coupled to the stationary member via a plurality of balls such that the sliding member can slide smoothly.

The natural ventilation unit may include a carbon dioxide sensor for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in indoor air, and, when the concentration of the carbon dioxide measured by the carbon dioxide sensor exceeds a predetermined reference value, the natural ventilation unit may operate automatically.

The light adjustment unit may selectively adjust the extent to which some or all of the glass is transparent or opaque.

The sensor may include at least one pair of magnet type sensors mounted to the sliding sash, which is slidably opened and closed, and the frame in a corresponding fashion for sensing whether the sliding sash has been opened or closed.

The control unit may use wireless communication that supports near field communication, and a wireless signal may be transmitted to a gateway and may then be connected to an application installed in the terminal over the Internet.

The terminal may be any one selected from among a smartphone, a tablet PC, a cellular phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet laptop computer, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The control unit may determine whether a signal sensed by the sensor indicates forced entry and, upon determining that the signal indicates forced entry, may generate an alarm through a speaker provided in the window and/or the terminal.

As apparent from the fore-going, a window with a function for residential environment improvement is capable of improving residential environment through various functions, such as automatic opening and closing of a sash, natural ventilation, light adjustment for switching between transparent and opaque states of window glass, and opening and closing notification including sensing of forced opening and closing of the sash, and is also capable of enabling the various functions to be individually or integrally controlled using a terminal, such as a smartphone, in real time regardless of place.

In addition, it is possible to set specific situations, such as going out, sleeping, and going on vacation, which are frequently experienced by a user, in a lifestyle menu of the terminal in advance and to simply select and use one of the modes.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a window with a function for residential environment improvement according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the overall structure of the window according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing the indoor side of the window according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which a driving roller according to the present invention is in tight contact with a sash, to which the driving roller is adjacent;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a pushing device for adjusting the position of the driving roller according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8A to 8J are views showing an application installed in a terminal according to the present invention for controlling various functions of the window.

Now, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. These examples are provided only for illustration of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a window with a function for residential environment improvement according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the overall structure of the window according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing the indoor side of the window according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a window 1 with a function for residential environment improvement according to an embodiment of the present invention, including at least one pair of sashes 20 mounted in a frame 10 such that the sashes 20 can be opened and closed in a sliding fashion, includes an automatic opening and closing unit 100, a natural ventilation unit 200, a light adjustment unit 300, an opening and closing notification unit 400, and a control unit 500.

Hereinafter, the respective units of the window according to the present invention will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, the automatic opening and closing unit 100 is mounted to one of the sashes 20, which is configured to be opened and closed in a sliding fashion, e.g. a sliding sash 21, so as to be capable of automatically opening and closing the sliding sash 21. The automatic opening and closing unit 100 may be mounted in a mullion 21a of the sliding sash 21, at which the sashes 20 meet each other, on the upper part or the lower part of the mullion 21a. Alternatively, the automatic opening and closing unit 100 may be mounted in the mullion 21a of the sliding sash 21 on each of the upper and lower parts of the mullion 21a. In this embodiment, an example in which the automatic opening and closing unit 100 is mounted in the mullion 21a of the sliding sash 21 on each of the upper and lower parts of the mullion 21a will be illustrated and described.

Referring to FIG. 4, the automatic opening and closing unit 100 may include a driving motor 110 and a driving roller 120 mounted in the mullion 21a of the sliding sash 21, wherein a driving roller 120 is configured to be rotated by the power from the driving motor 110, in a state in which the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 is in contact with one surface 23a of a stationary sash 23, which is mounted adjacent to the driving roller 120, for slidably opening and closing the sliding sash 21.

In addition, the automatic opening and closing unit 100 may further include an electronic clutch 130 for switching between manual opening and closing of the sliding sash 21 and automatic opening and closing of the sliding sash 21. The electronic clutch 130 is mounted on a shaft 111, which connects the driving motor 110 and the driving roller 120 to each other, to selectively interrupt the transmission of the power from the motor 110 to the driving roller 120. When electric current has been cut off or when something has gone wrong with the automatic opening and closing unit 100, therefore, it is possible to manually open and close the sliding sash 21.

Describing the operation of the electronic clutch 130 in detail, a first gear 113 is integrally coupled to a rotary shaft of the driving motor 110, and the first gear 113 is engaged with a second gear 115 to rotate the shaft 111 and thus to rotate the driving roller 120. The second gear 115 is coupled to the shaft 111 such that the second gear 115 can idle. The electronic clutch 130 and the second gear 115 are arranged side by side on the same axis as the shaft 111 such that the electronic clutch 130 can be coupled to the second gear 115. The electronic clutch 130 is integrally fixed to the shaft 111 such that the electronic clutch 130 can rotate together with the shaft 111. An electromagnet (not shown) is provided in the electronic clutch 130.

When electric current is supplied to the electromagnet in the electronic clutch 130, therefore, the second gear 115, which is adjacent to the electronic clutch 130, is coupled to the electronic clutch 130 due to magnetic force, with the result that the electronic clutch 130 rotates together with the second gear 115. Consequently, the power from the driving motor 110 is transmitted to the driving roller 120 in order to automatically open and close the sliding sash 21.

When the supply of electric current to the electromagnet in the electronic clutch 130 is interrupted, on the other hand, the electronic clutch 130 is decoupled from the second gear 115, with the result that the power from the driving motor 110 is not transmitted to the driving roller 120. When electric current has been cut off or when something has gone wrong with the automatic opening and closing unit 100, therefore, it is possible to manually open and close the sliding sash 21 without difficulty.

In this case, the first gear 113 and the second gear 115 may be spur gears. In order to reduce the noise generated between the first gear 113 and the second gear 115, however, helical gears may be used as the first gear 113 and the second gear 115.

Referring to FIG. 5, the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 may be made of rubber or urethane in order to improve the contact between the stationary sash 23 and the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120.

A plurality of grooves 121 may be formed at regular intervals in the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 in order to increase friction between the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 and the surface 23a of the stationary sash 23 when the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 contacts the surface 23a of the stationary sash 23.

In addition, the surface 23a of the stationary sash 23, which contacts the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120, may be provided with a pad having protrusions configured to be engaged with the grooves 121 in order to prevent slippage of the driving roller 120 when the driving roller 120 is initially rotated. The protrusion pad 123 may be formed over the entire area of the surface 23a of the stationary sash 23 in a direction in which the sliding sash 21 opens and closes. Alternatively, the protrusion pad 123 may be formed only in a predetermined area in which the driving roller 120 in a stationary state is initially rotated.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the automatic opening and closing unit 100 may further include a safety sensor 140 for sensing whether a person or an object passes through the frame 10 while the sliding sash 21 is being closed in order to immediately interrupt the operation of the driving motor 110. The safety sensor 140 may be mounted in the surface 23a, e.g. a mullion 23a, of the stationary sash 23, or may be mounted in the tip end of the sliding sash 21 in a direction in which the sliding sash 21 is closed. In this embodiment, the safety sensor 140 is mounted in the mullion 23a of the stationary sash 23.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the automatic opening and closing unit 100 may further include a pushing device 150 for tightly pushing the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 to the surface 23a of the stationary sash 23. When the automatic opening and closing unit 100 is mounted to the sliding sash 21, the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 may not be brought into tight contact with the surface 23a of the stationary sash 23 due to an error in assembly tolerance between the respective components constituting the automatic opening and closing unit 100 (see FIG. 4). Even in a case in which the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 and the surface 23a of the stationary sash 23 is small, e.g. 1 to 2 mm, the frictional force may not be satisfactorily provided.

For this reason, it is necessary to be able to easily adjust the distance between the driving roller 120 and the stationary sash 23, which is realized by the provision of the pushing device 150, thereby providing the frictional force necessary to automatically open and close the sliding sash 21.

Specifically, the pushing device 150 may include a sliding member 151 having one side coupled to the shaft 111 via a bearing 151a and the other side slidably coupled to a stationary member 151b (see FIG. 7), fixed to the sliding sash 21, a support member 153 fixed to the sliding sash 21 such that the support member 153 is spaced apart from the sliding member 151 in a direction in which the sliding member 151 slides, the support member 153 having a fastening hole 153a, and a manipulation member 155 screw-coupled into the fastening hole 153a in a state in which the tip end of the manipulation member 155 is in contact with one surface 153c of the sliding member 151 so as to push the sliding member 151.

In this case, the sliding member 151 may be coupled to the stationary member 151b via a plurality of balls 151d such that the sliding member 151 can slide smoothly.

The manipulation member 155 may be provided in one surface thereof with a wrench recess, in which the manipulation member 155 can be manipulated using a tool, such as a hexagonal wrench. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The manipulation member 155 may be modified to have various structures such that the manipulation member 155 can be manipulated using various other tools, such as a spanner and a driver.

In this embodiment, one side of the sliding member 151 is coupled to the shaft 111 via the bearing 151a in order to move a driving module, which is constituted by the driving motor 111 and the driving roller 120. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The structure of the sliding member 151 is not particularly restricted as long as the sliding member 151 can move the driving module, which includes the driving motor 111 and the driving roller 120.

In addition, a plurality of pushing devices 150 may be mounted in the mullion 21a of the sliding sash 21 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction (i.e. the vertical direction) thereof in order to move the driving module at a consistent interval.

The automatic opening and closing unit 100 with the above-stated construction may be applied to a lift type sliding window as well as a general sliding window.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the natural ventilation unit 200 is mounted in at least one of the sashes 20 to let fresh air in. For example, the natural ventilation unit 200 may be mounted in the stationary sash 23, which does not open and close.

In this case, the natural ventilation unit 200 may include a carbon dioxide sensor 210 for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in indoor air. When the concentration of the carbon dioxide measured by the carbon dioxide sensor 210 exceeds a predetermined reference value, the natural ventilation unit 200 may operate automatically.

Any one selected from among ventilators for windows disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1274838, No. 10-1259671, No. 10-1260564, No. 10-1301811, No. 10-1293852, No. 10-1307645, No. 10-1433437, No. 10-1293846, No. 10-1292365, No. 10-1330447, No. 10-1252906, No. 10-1272994, No. 10-1338547, No. 10-1273019, No. 10-293802, No. 10-1263991, and No. 10-1254413, which have been filed and registered in the name of the applicant of the present application, may be applied to the natural ventilation unit 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any ventilator generally used in windows may be applied to the natural ventilation unit 200. A detailed description of the operation of the ventilator for windows will be omitted.

The light adjustment unit 300 is mounted to some or all of the glass provided in the sashes 20 in order to adjust the light transmittance of the glass, i.e. to switch the state of the glass between a transparent state and an opaque state. The light adjustment unit 300 is generally referred to as a 'magic glass.'

The magic glass used as the light adjustment unit 300 is a laminated glass manufactured by pressing two sheets of glass in a state in which ITO films and polymers comprising liquid crystals are placed therebetween. When voltage is applied to the magic glass, the arrangement of the molecules of the liquid crystals in the polymers between the films is changed, with the result that the state of the glass is switched from the opaque state to the transparent state. The transparency of the glass may be easily changed based on the magnitude of voltage.

Specifically, in a state in which no voltage is applied to the magic glass, the liquid crystals, each of which is a bar-shaped molecule, are arranged along the inner wall of a capsule. In this state, light incident upon the magic glass is refracted at the surface of the capsule or in the capsule due to the difference in index of refraction between the polymers and the liquid crystals and double refraction of the liquid crystals. As a result, the light does not travel straight ahead but is scattered, whereby the magic glass becomes opaque.

When voltage is applied to the magic glass, on the other hand, the liquid crystals are arranged perpendicular to electrodes due to the properties of the liquid crystals in which the liquid crystals are arranged in a direction parallel to a direction in which the voltage is applied to the magic glass. If the index of refraction of the liquid crystals is identical to that of the polymers in this state, which means that the capsule has no interface, the light is not scattered but travels straight ahead. As a result, the magic glass becomes transparent.

The opening and closing notification unit 400 includes a sensor 410 mounted to the window 1 for sensing whether the sliding sash 21 has been opened or closed in real time.

In this case, the sensor 410 may include at least one pair of magnet type sensors mounted to the sliding sash 21 and the frame 10 in a corresponding fashion for sensing whether the sliding sash 21 has been opened or closed.

Specifically, the sensor 410 may be buried in the upper part of the sliding sash 21 and in one surface of the frame 10 corresponding thereto. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The position at which the sensor 410 is mounted is not particularly restricted as long as the sensor 410 can easily sense whether the sliding sash 21 has been opened or closed.

The control unit 500 individually or integrally controls the

units

100, 200, 300, and 400 using a user's wireless communication terminal 510 regardless of time and place. In addition, the control unit 500 performs control so as to display the states of the

units

100, 200, 300, and 400 on a display window of the wireless communication terminal 510 in real time.

Specifically, the control unit 500 performs control in a wireless communication fashion, in which a wireless signal is transmitted to a gateway and is then connected to an application installed in the terminal 510 over the Internet.

In this case, the wireless communication may be radio frequency (RF) communication. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. ZigBee wireless communication, which supports near field communication, may also be used. For reference, ZigBee wireless communication is one of the IEEE 802.14.4 standards that support near field communication. ZigBee wireless communication is technology for near field communication within a distance of 10 to 20 m and ubiquitous computing in a wireless networking region, such as a house or an office. That is, ZigBee is a concept for cellular phones and wireless LAN. ZigBee is different from existing technologies in that a small amount of information is communicated and power consumption is minimized.

In this embodiment, RF communication or ZigBee wireless communication is used as the wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any one selected from among Bluetooth, WiFi, WiBro, and near field communication (NFC) may be used as the wireless communication.

In addition, a smartphone, which is easy to hold and allows a specific application to be installed therein, may be used as the terminal 510. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any one selected from among a tablet PC, a cellular phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet laptop computer, and a personal digital assistant (PDA) may be used as the terminal 510.

The control unit 500 with the above-stated construction may monitor the current state of the window 1, which has various functions, in real time through the display window of the terminal 510.

That is, the user may check whether the window 1 has been opened or closed using the specific application installed in the terminal 510. In addition, the user may check the operation of the natural ventilation unit 200, the light adjustment unit 300, and the opening and closing notification unit 400 in real time.

In a state in which the window 1 is open, the user may manipulate a menu for the automatic opening and closing unit 100 in a main menu of the application installed in the terminal 510 to close the sliding sash 21.After the sliding sash 21 is closed the user may then execute a security mode through the opening and closing notification unit 400 of the window 1.

Specifically, when a signal is sensed by the opening and closing notification unit 400, the control unit 500 determines whether the sensed signal indicates forced entry. The control unit 500 determines first whether the sashes 20 have been forcibly opened. Upon determining that the sashes 20 have been forcibly opened, the control unit 500 immediately generates an alarm. The alarm may be simultaneously generated through the user's terminal 510 and a speaker (not shown) provided in the window 1.

In addition, the control unit 500 may transmit a text message or make a phone call to at least one selected from among specific contacts, including acquaintances, a security company, a control office, and a police box, which have been set by the user in advance, in order to immediately announce the state of forced entry.

Alternatively, the control unit 500 may notify the user's terminal 510 of the state of forced entry using an alarm, and may display the above-mentioned measures on the display window such that the user can select one of the measures.

FIGS. 8A to 8J are views showing an application installed in a terminal according to the present invention for controlling various functions of the window. Hereinafter, menus and functions of the application will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a main menu is displayed on the display window of the terminal 510 when the application is initially executed. The main menu may include a menu for total control T, which is configured to control all functions in one screen, and menus for controlling the automatic opening and closing unit 100, the natural ventilation unit 200, the light adjustment unit 300, and the opening and closing notification unit 400, which are configured to display the current states of the respective units and to selectively control the respective units under detailed conditions.

FIG. 8B is a view showing a screen, displayed when the menu for total control T is selected from the main menu (see FIG. 8A), for simply controlling various functions 100 to 400 under previously set conditions. Specifically, close and open buttons for closing and opening the sliding sash 21 may be provided for the automatic opening and closing unit 100, and stop and start buttons for stopping and starting the ventilator may be provided for the natural ventilation unit 200. In addition, transparent and opaque buttons for switching between the transparent state and the opaque state of the sash glass, to which the magic glass is applied, may be provided for the light adjustment unit 300, and release and set buttons for releasing and setting a security function of the house may be provided for the opening and closing notification unit 400.

FIG. 8C is a view showing a screen displayed when the menu for the automatic opening and closing unit 100 is selected from the main menu (see FIG. 8A). On this screen, it is possible to display whether the sliding sash 21 has been opened or closed and to open and close the sliding sash 21. Furthermore, it is possible to select the sash that the user wishes to open or close from among the sashes.

In addition, in the menu for the automatic opening and closing unit 100, it is possible to select the extent to which the sash 21 is to be opened or closed. That is, on the assumption that the maximum opening width of the sash 21 is 100 cm, it is possible to select the extent of opening and closing of the sash 21 such that the sash 21 is 20 to 30 cm open in order to achieve natural ventilation or to allow a pet to move between the living room and the balcony when the pet is alone in the house.

FIG. 8D is a view showing a screen displayed when the menu for the natural ventilation unit 200 is selected from the main menu (see FIG. 8A). On this screen, it is possible to display whether the ventilator is operating, when to replace a filter, and the concentration of carbon dioxide sensed by the carbon dioxide sensor 210 in real time.

In addition, it is possible to set the screen such that the ventilator operates automatically when the sensed concentration of the carbon dioxide is equal to or more than a reference value (for example, 800 ppm).

FIG. 8E is a view showing a screen displayed when the menu for the light adjustment unit 300 is selected from the main menu (see FIG. 8A). On this screen, it is possible to display whether the state of sashes 20, to which the magic glass is applied, is transparent or opaque and, in addition, to perform switching between the transparent state and the opaque state in real time.

FIG. 8F is a view showing a screen displayed when the menu for the opening and closing notification unit 400 is selected from the main menu (see FIG. 8A). On this screen, it is possible to display the current security state of the window 1 and, in addition, to release or set the security function of the window 1.

Meanwhile, when it is sensed that the sashes 20 have been forcibly opened or closed in a state in which the security function is set from the menu for the opening and closing notification unit 400, the control unit 500 controls an alarm window shown in FIG. 8G to be displayed on the terminal 510 such that the user can transmit a text message or make a phone call to at least one party selected from among specific contacts, including acquaintances, a security company, a control office, and a police box, which have been set by the user in advance, in order to immediately notify the party of the state of forced entry.

Referring to FIG. 8H, a setting (S) menu is constantly displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the display window of the terminal 510. When the setting (S) menu is selected, a pull-down menu appears.

FIG. 8I is a view showing a screen displayed when a lifestyle (L) menu is selected from the pull-down menu. On the lifestyle (L) menu, it is possible to set

various functions

100, 200, 300, and 400 of the window in advance based on specific situations, such as going out, sleeping, and going on vacation, which are frequently experienced by the user. The user may voluntarily make setting in response to respective situations.

That is, when the 'going out' situation is set as shown in FIG. 8J, on a 'window selection' menu, it is possible to set 'opening and closing notification,' 'automatic opening and closing,' 'light adjustment,' and 'natural ventilation' situations based on the user's preferences. For example, the opening and closing notification of the sliding sash 21 may be set to an ON state, the automatic opening and closing may be set to a closed state, the light adjustment may be set to an opaque state, and the natural ventilation may be set to an OFF state.

In addition, for 'sleeping' and 'going on vacation,' in which the user may leave the house for a few days, it is possible for the user to perform appropriate selection based on the situation.

When the user selects the lifestyle (L) from the setting (S) menu in a certain situation, selects an appropriate one from among the situations, and selects 'start,'

various functions

100, 200, 300, and 400 of the window 1 are immediately performed based on the predetermined settings.

The window 1 with the function for residential environment improvement according to the present invention as described above performs various functions, such as automatic opening and closing of the sashes 20, natural ventilation, light adjustment for switching between the transparent state and the opaque state of the window glass, and opening and closing notification for sensing whether the sashes have been forcibly opened or closed, thereby improving the residential environment of the user.

In the window 1 with the above-stated functions, it is possible to individually or integrally control various functions of the window 1 using the user's terminal 510, such as a smartphone, regardless of place.

In addition, it is possible to set specific situations, such as going out, sleeping, and going on vacation, which are frequently experienced by the user, in the lifestyle (L) menu of the terminal 510 in advance and to simply select and use one of the modes.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

〔Description of Reference Numerals〕

1: Window, 10: Frame, 20: Sashes, 21: Sliding sash, 21a: Mullion , 23: Stationary sash, 100: Automatic opening and closing unit, 110: Driving motor, 111: Shaft, 113: First gear, 115: Second gear, 120: Driving roller, 121: Grooves, 123: Protrusion pad

Claims

A window comprising a frame (10) and at least one pair of sashes (20) mounted in the frame (10) such that the sashes (20) can be opened and closed in a sliding fashion, wherein the window further comprises:

an automatic opening and closing unit (100) comprising a driving motor (110) and a driving roller (120) mounted at a sash (21), one of the sashes (20), wherein the driving roller (120) is configured to be rotated by power from the driving motor (110), in a state in which an outer circumferential surface of the driving roller (120) is in contact with one surface (23a) of a stationary sash (23), which is mounted adjacent to the driving roller (120), for slidably opening and closing the sash (21);

a natural ventilation unit (200) mounted in the sashes (20) for letting fresh air in;

a light adjustment unit (300) mounted to glass provided in the sashes (20) for adjusting light transmittance of the glass to switch a state of the glass between a transparent state and an opaque state;

an opening and closing notification unit (400) comprising a sensor (410) mounted to the window (1) for sensing whether the sash (21) has been opened or closed in real time; and

a control unit (500) for selectively controlling the units (100, 200, 300, and 400) using a user's wireless communication terminal (510) and for performing control so as to display states of the units (100, 200, 300, and 400) on a display window of the wireless communication terminal (510) in real time.
The window according to claim 1, wherein the automatic opening and closing unit (100) further comprises an electronic clutch (130) mounted on a shaft (111), which connects the driving motor (110) and the driving roller (120) to each other in order to manually open and close the sash (21), for selectively interrupting transmission of the power from the motor (110) to the driving roller (120).
The window according to claim 1, wherein the automatic opening and closing unit (100) is mounted in a mullion (21a) of the sash (21), at which the sashes (20) meet each other, on an upper part and/or a lower part of the mullion (21a).
The window according to claim 1, wherein

the driving roller (120) is made of rubber or urethane, and

a plurality of grooves (121) is formed at regular intervals in the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller (120) in order to increase friction between the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller (120) and the surface of the sash (23) when the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller (120) contacts the surface of the sash (23).
The window according to claim 4, wherein the surface (23a) of the sash (23), which contacts the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller (120), is provided with a pad (123) having protrusions configured to be engaged with the grooves (121) in order to prevent slippage of the driving roller (120) when the driving roller (120) is initially rotated.
The window according to claim 1, wherein the automatic opening and closing unit (100) further comprises a safety sensor (140) for sensing whether a person or an object passes through the frame (10) while the sash (21) is being closed in order to immediately interrupt an operation of the driving motor (110).
The window according to claim 1, wherein

the automatic opening and closing unit (100) further comprises a pushing device (150) for tightly pushing the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 120 to the surface (23a) of the sash (23), and

the pushing device (150) comprises:

a sliding member (151) having one side coupled to the shaft (111) via a bearing (151a) and the other side slidably coupled to a stationary member (151b), fixed to the sash (21);

a support member (153) fixed to the sash (21) such that the support member (153) is spaced apart from the sliding member (151) in a direction in which the sliding member (151) slides, the support member (153) having a fastening hole (153a); and

a manipulation member (155) screw-coupled into the fastening hole (153a) in a state in which a tip end of the manipulation member (155) is in contact with one surface (153c) of the sliding member (151) so as to push the sliding member (151).
The window according to claim 7, wherein the sliding member (151) is coupled to the stationary member (151b) via a plurality of balls (151d) such that the sliding member (151) can slide smoothly.
The window according to claim 1, wherein

the natural ventilation unit (200) comprises a carbon dioxide sensor (210) for measuring a concentration of carbon dioxide in indoor air, and

when the concentration of the carbon dioxide measured by the carbon dioxide sensor (210) exceeds a predetermined reference value, the natural ventilation unit (200) operates automatically.
The window according to claim 1, wherein the light adjustment unit (300) selectively adjusts an extent to which some or all of the glass is transparent or opaque.
The window according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (410) comprises at least one pair of magnet type sensors mounted to the sash (21), which is slidably opened and closed, and to the frame (10) in a corresponding fashion for sensing whether the sash (21) has been opened or closed.
The window according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (500) uses wireless communication that supports near field communication, and a wireless signal is transmitted to a gateway and is then connected to an application installed in the terminal (510) over an Internet.
The window according to claim 1, wherein the terminal (510) is any one selected from among a smartphone, a tablet PC, a cellular phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet laptop computer, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).
The window according to claim 1 or 12, wherein the control unit (500) determines whether a signal sensed by the sensor (410) indicates forced entry and, upon determining that the signal indicates forced entry, generates an alarm through a speaker provided in the window and/or the terminal (510).