motor power front window shades?

robertglines1 · February 10, 2012, 02:38:04 PM

Anyone done this home made?? I have electric window motors (reversing) and rollers like for window shades. need to keep retracted package tight. 3 inch maybe. Ideals or pictures. Yes you can buy them. What the fun in that? Bob

Jeremy · February 10, 2012, 03:18:42 PM

I have designed and collected parts for (but not yet built) an set of electric windscreen blinds for my bus using a couple of car electric window mechanisms (all the up-and-downy but, not just the motors). The blinds themselves will be solid rather than fabric, but that's because I have lots of free space above my windscreen for them to retract into (more like 3 feet than 3 inches).

However, if I did only have 3 inches I'd probably use the same mechanism that is used for the rear window electric blind on my BMW. It's really neat and barely takes up any space at all when closed. Here's a video of someone fixing the same blind in the same car - skip right to the end of the video to see it in operation:

BMW E38 Rear Window Shade Repair

Jeremy

Sean · February 10, 2012, 05:40:59 PM

Quote from: robertglines1 on February 10, 2012, 02:38:04 PM
Anyone done this home made?? I have electric window motors (reversing) and rollers like for window shades. need to keep retracted package tight. 3 inch maybe. ...

Bob, I don't know if it will help you at all, but we have the Carefree motorized sun visor/window shades in the front, and I can tell you how they work and stay tight:

The motor operates a jack screw against a scissor mechanism -- imagine the way a scissor lift works. The shade fabric is on a roller that is under constant spring tension, so it's like a regular window shade without the locking pawl. The scissor mechanism is connected to the leading edge of the shade which has a bar across the whole length. As the jack screw turns the scissor extends, and the roller spring keeps the shade taught. To retract, the jack screw retracts the scissor and the roller spring takes up the shade.

I can probably find a photo of the back of the shade showing the scissor if it would help.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

robertglines1 · February 10, 2012, 05:56:59 PM

Sean: got the picture. could be simple. These were Toyota motors and have a square drive 1/4 inch each end . Like you said scissor jack only with the drive rod/shaft on the top. I think I'm going to make a mach up. Other idea was make like a roman shade and just use motor as a winch. Will be 42 inches wide by 32 inches tall. Can make drive rod and driven block on lathe. Might even do it in plastic stock. Or as Jeremy idea mount on dash and push up. almost looks like a elect windshield wiper motor would work there. Good ideas Bob

Boomer · February 10, 2012, 08:07:11 PM

I got my windshield Carefree electric shades from NW RV Surplus for next to nothing compared to what the Carefrees were new. Don't know how you could build something that cheap. They work good too.

robertglines1 · February 11, 2012, 05:36:33 AM

Thanks Boomer will ck out; My cost would be labor=custom fit. Price under $100 would buy rather than build. Bob

robertglines1 · February 11, 2012, 06:01:59 AM

Jeremy: if you have one on you car could you measure width and extended height. I need aprox 42 inches wide by 36 extended. Could be junk yard item /treasure. Looks like arms could be extended for more height. also double as sun visor.Partial extension. The mechanism is easily duplicated. Bob

Jeremy · February 11, 2012, 11:44:04 AM

Hi Bob

You're very close on the width - they measure at 44" - but the extended length is not much 20". As you say, it would be fairly easily to alter them, or just take the principle and manufacture something from scratch

Jeremy