EP3770358B1

EP3770358B1 - Device for moving and controlling at least one covering and/or closing element

Info

Publication number: EP3770358B1
Application number: EP20187215.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luigi Borsoi; Roberto Collovini
Original assignee: Teleco Automation SRL
Current assignee: Teleco Automation SRL
Priority date: 2019-07-26
Filing date: 2020-07-22
Publication date: 2023-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-22
Also published as: IT201900013026A1; EP3770358A1; ES2947861T3

Description

The present invention relates to an improved device for moving and controlling at least one covering and/or closing element, for example in pergolas, windows, skylights, doors and covers in general, or even a part of a piece of furniture, such as, for example, the support table of a desk.
In some installations, the use of two linear motors is already known to move one or more covering and/or closing elements. In particular, for example, two motors are used to move the lamellae of a particularly large pergola, or they are used to move the lamellae of two independent portions provided in the same pergola, or are used to move the lamellae of two pergolas installed in the same environment.
In cases where synchronization of the two motors is then required, the latter must be connected, by means of their respective wiring, to an electronic board which is separate and distinct from the housings of both motors, thus requiring a dedicated installation and housing.
In the not infrequent case in which the electronic board has to be moved in position, it is necessary to carry out laborious interventions of modification and reinstallation of the relative wiring.
In particular, in the known solutions, a power supply cable emerges from the casing of each of the two motors and, moreover, a further cable is provided to connect the encoder, which is provided in and/or associated with at least one of the two motors, to the electronic control card external to said two motors; suitably, through this dedicated cable, the encoder associated with the motor can send a suitable signal to the electronic board to be used to synchronize the two motors with each other. However, it may happen that the synchronization signal sent through the dedicated cable is subject to external noise and interference, thus compromising the synchronized operation of the two motors.
US2014/175240 describes an actuation mechanism for the lamellae of a canopy which comprises a linear actuator, housed inside a containment casing, and a control unit with a wireless receiver for receiving command and control signals from the outside.
The object of the invention is to propose a device for moving and controlling at least one covering and/or closing element, or part of a piece of furniture, which eliminates the drawbacks encountered in traditional solutions.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device which is simple and easy to install even by unskilled personnel.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device which is perfectly in line with the safety requirements imposed by the sector regulations.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device which allows the integrity of the synchronization signals and/or other signals which are transmitted between the components of the device to be preserved from interference and disturbances.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device which can also be used in cases where the installation of external control units is difficult.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device that can be remotely controlled also from a mobile phone both to control the actuation of the device itself and to verify the correct execution of the received commands.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device which is an improvement and/or alternative to the traditional ones.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device which involves low installation costs.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device which can be obtained simply, quickly and with low costs.
Another object of the invention is to propose a handling apparatus for a covering and/or closing installation, in particular of a pergola, which is simple to install, easy to program and manage, as well as obtainable in a simple, quick and convenient way.
All these objects and others that will result from the following description, both individually and in any combination thereof, are achieved, according to the invention with a device as defined in claim 1, as well as by a handling apparatus for a covering and/or closing installation according to claim 10.
The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in some of its preferred embodiments, given purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1: shows in perspective view of a pergola provided with blades moved in a controlled manner by means of an apparatus according to the invention,
Figure 2: shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention,
Figure 3: shows it in the same view as fig. 2 without the containment casing,
Figure 4: schematically shows the connection between a device according to the invention and a further handling device,
Figure 4a: shows an enlarged detail of fig. 4,
Figure 5: shows a block diagram of the device according to the invention,
Figure 6: schematically shows in greater detail a component of the device according to the invention.

As can be seen from the figures, the movement and control device according to the invention, globally indicated with the reference number 15, is applied/mounted, in the example illustrated, in a cover installation, in particular in a pergola, indicated as a whole with the reference number 1.
In particular, the pergola 1 is substantially of the traditional type and in practice consists of a rigid supporting structure 2 having a parallelepipedic conformation and presenting on the upper wall and sometimes also on the side walls movable lamellae closures. More in detail, each closure comprises a plurality of parallel lamellae 3, which can be oriented simultaneously around their longitudinal axis, and possibly packable.
Conveniently, the lamellae 3 can be rotated around their longitudinal axis to be oriented according to the shielding effect that is to be obtained with them. In particular, they can be simultaneously oriented for an angular excursion of about 90 °, in order to be able to pass from a substantially coplanar arrangement for intercepting the light to a substantially parallel arrangement suitable for allowing the passage of light.
Preferably, the lamellae 3 can also be moved by translational motion perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, to pass from an unfolded or closed condition to a packed or open condition.
Conveniently, in the illustrated example, the movement and control device 15 according to the invention is installed inside the pergola 1 to cause, in combination with a further (second) device 4, the rotary movement of said lamellae 3, i.e. to define the movement which leads to orienting the lamellae 3 around their longitudinal axis to allow more or less light to pass between them. Conveniently, a motion transmission and conversion system is also provided in the pergola 1, indicated as a whole with the reference 5, configured to transform the rectilinear motion produced by the device 15 and by the second device 4 into a rotary movement of the lamellae 3 around their own longitudinal axis.
The movement and control device 15 according to the invention comprises an electric motor 7.
Conveniently, the device 15 also comprises a linear actuator 6 provided with a slider 8 which is associated with the electric motor 7 so that it can be moved linearly with respect to a guide element 9, preferably fixed. Conveniently, for this purpose, the device 15 comprises a mechanism (not shown) for transmitting and converting the rotary movement of the motor 7 into linear movement of the slider 8 with respect to the guide element 9.
Preferably, the electric motor 7 is of the traditional type. Preferably, the motor is in direct current, and can be brushed or brushless.
Preferably, the slider 8 is intended to be fixed to the element to be moved.
The device 15 comprises a housing structure, indicated as a whole with the reference number 12, which in turn comprises a first housing 10 for housing the motor 7 and a second housing 11 for the motion transmission and conversion mechanism.
Advantageously, the first casing 10 is removably engaged on the second casing 11 and, suitably, the fixed guide element 9 within which the cursor slides is also engaged on the latter. Conveniently, the first casing 10, the second casing 11 and/or the guide element 9 can be made in separate pieces which are then mutually constrained to each other or, alternatively, they can be made in a single body.
Conveniently, the device 15 according to the invention comprises a control unit 31 configured to control the motor 7. Preferably, said control unit 31 comprises and is implemented on a traditional first electronic card 30.
Conveniently, said control unit 31 comprises a microcontroller or a microprocessor 35 which, preferably, is mounted on said electronic card 30.
Conveniently, said control unit 31 comprises a memory unit.
Conveniently, said control unit 31 also comprises a wireless receiver 36 which, preferably, is mounted on said electronic card 30. Conveniently, the receiver 36 is connected to the microcontroller/microprocessor 35.
Conveniently, the device 15 according to the invention comprises a power supply unit 33 which supplies to the electronic card 30 the electrical power supply for the motor 7, for the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 and for the receiver 36 and, preferably, for the other components mounted on the electronic card 30.
Conveniently, the power supply unit 33 comprises an electrical apparatus connected and/or mounted on the electronic card 30. Preferably, said electrical apparatus can comprise a DC-DC converter configured to supply voltage and current levels, and therefore power, suitable for the operation of the motor. 7.
In particular, the power supply unit 33 is configured to receive energy as an input electrical supply from the outside, preferably by means of two supply electric wires 38' and 38" associated with an external electrical source (not shown), preferably from the mains. Preferably, the supply voltage is 24 Volts in direct current. More in detail, a first electric wire 38' is provided for the positive polarity in direct current, while the second electric wire 38" is provided for the negative polarity in direct current. Conveniently, the electric wires 38' and 38" are configured to electrically connect the external electric source to the power supply unit 33.
It is also provided that, alternatively, the power supply unit 33 can receive the electrical energy for the power supply by one or more batteries (not shown) which, preferably, can be recharged with one or more external photovoltaic panels which, suitably, can be mounted on the pergola 1 and/or can be external and independent from the latter.
Preferably, the drivers 34 for the motor 7 are also provided in the control unit 31. Conveniently, the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 is connected to the motor 7 by means of the driver 34 circuits so as to send corresponding control signals to said motor.
Advantageously, the device 15 comprises means for detecting the position and/or the rotation speed of the motor 7 and/or the position and/or the axial/linear advancement speed of the slider 8.
Preferably, said means comprise an encoder 46, preferably a rotary encoder, which is housed inside the casing 10 and is configured to detect the angular position of the motor 7. In particular, preferably, the rotary encoder 46 is of the magnetic type and is mounted on the motor 7. Preferably, the encoder 46 is mounted inside the gearmotor.
Advantageously, the means, which preferably consist of a rotary encoder 46, detect both the rotation speed of the motor and, moreover, are configured to detect, on the basis of the angular path and/or number of rotations carried out by said motor, the achievement of the limit switch positions of the slider 8.
Preferably, the encoder 46 comprises a magnetic portion which is associated/mounted on the motor 7 and an encoder interface 37 (sensor) which faces said magnetic portion and is mounted on the electronic card 30. Conveniently, the encoder interface 37 is configured to detect (sample) the variation of the magnetic field generated by said magnetic portion and transform it into a corresponding electrical signal. Conveniently, moreover, the encoder interface 37 is electrically connected with the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 to send to the latter electrical signals representative of the position, speed and/or direction of advancement of the motor 7.
Advantageously, the device 15 can comprise a sensor which is electrically connected or integrated in the control unit 31. Preferably, the temperature sensor is configured so as to detect the temperature of the environment in which the device is installed.
The device 15 also comprises a data transmission wire 40. Preferably, the device 15 comprises exclusively three wires and, in particular, the two power supply wires 38' and 38", and a data transmission wire 40.
Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 is connected to the control unit 31. Preferably, the data transmission wire 40 is connected to the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 of the control unit 31 by means of an interface module 41.
Advantageously, said three wires 38', 38" and 40 are joined together within a single cable 42. Alternatively, while the two power supply wires 38', 38" can be joined/housed within a first cable, the data transmission wire 40 can be housed inside a second dedicated cable, which is separate from the first cable.
Advantageously, the control unit 31 is housed in the first casing 10 which also houses the motor 7 and, preferably, also the encoder 46. Conveniently, the electronic card 30 on which the microcontroller/microprocessor 35, the receiver 36, are mounted. The power supply unit 33 - and preferably also the drivers 34 for the motor, the encoder interface 37 and the interface module 41 with the data transmission wire 40 - is housed in the first casing 10 which also houses the motor 7.
Conveniently, the three wires 38', 38" and 40 - preferably gathered in a single cable 42 - have a first end (internal end) connected to the control unit 31 (and in particular to the electronic card 30), housed inside the first casing 10, and then protrude from the latter and, in particular, from the housing structure 12.
Preferably, the receiver 36 is connected via wireless with the outside to receive from the outside command signals to control, on the basis of the latter, the motor 7 of the device 15 (whose control unit is equipped with said receiver 36) and/or other external devices, which are connected to said device and which are not provided with a receiver. Furthermore, the receiver 36 is conveniently connected and/or incorporated to the microcontroller/microprocessor 35.
Advantageously, the receiver 36 is of the wireless type, preferably radio. Conveniently, the receiver 36 can be configured for wireless data reception using Wi-Fi technology or on the basis of traditional standards, such as Bluetooth^® or ZigBee^®.
Conveniently, through the receiver 36 the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 can receive command signals for the motor from an external transmitter, and in particular from a remote control or even from a mobile phone (preferably a smartphone) or from other traditional wireless devices in general, control signals for the motor 7 of the device itself and/or for other devices which are connected to said device 15 by means of the data transmission wire 40, as will become clearer hereafter.
Advantageously, the receiver 36 can be connected, via wireless and/or via wire, to light, wind and/or rain sensors mounted outside the device 15.
Advantageously, the receiver 36 - in addition to a receiver module - can advantageously be provided with a transmitting module, preferably radio, to thus define a transceiver. Preferably, the transceiver is configured to operate in the ISM bands.
Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 which emerges from the housing structure 12 of the device 15 can be connected at the other end (external end) to an external interface to said device 15, preferably to an output interface in which converge other cable connections, or which is connected to a home automation system. Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 can be connected to an output interface comprising a unit or a motor 7 diagnosis tool.
Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 which emerges from the housing structure 12 of the first device 15 can be connected to at least one further (second) device 4 which also comprises a second motor 51.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the second device 4 also comprises an actuator 50 of the linear type (i.e. a slider 54 movable with respect to a guide) and a mechanism for transmitting and converting the rotary movement of the second motor 51 into linear movement of the cursor (slider) with respect to the preferably fixed guide element. Conveniently, in this way, the second device 4 outputs a linear movement.
Alternatively, the second device 4 comprises only the second motor 51, without any mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the latter, thus providing an output rotary motion from said second device 4.
Preferably, said second device 4 has the same characteristics as the device 15 according to the invention. In particular, said second device 4 comprises a second motor 51 associated with a second encoder 52, as well as a corresponding second control unit 53 with the same components, with the exception of the receiver 36, described above with reference to the control unit 31 of the device 15 Preferably, the receiver 36 of the device 15 is connected, via wireless and/or via wire, with the outside to receive command signals from the outside to control, on the basis of the latter, both the motor 7 of the device 15 (whose control unit is provided with said receiver 36) and the second motor 51 of the second device 4, which is connected to the device 15 by means of the data transmission wire 40.
Advantageously, the receiver 36 can be connected to a centralized or distributed home automation unit which is configured to receive the information from the receiver 36, and send it, preferably via Wi-Fi and Internet protocols, to the external portable device and/or to a cloud archive accessible from the external portable device, so as to allow remote control of the device 15 and/or of the second device 4, in addition to monitoring its/their operation. Conveniently, the connection between the receiver 36 and the home automation unit can take place via cable or wireless, in particular via radio waves (for example Wi-Fi or according to the Bluetooth protocol).
Conveniently, in the case of a receiver 36 also equipped with a transmitting module (i.e. a transceiver), in addition to receiving corresponding control signals for the motor 7 of the device itself and/or for the second motor 51 of the second device 4, it can remotely communicate their state and, preferably, also the operating parameters or the possible presence of anomalies or malfunctions of said actuators. In particular, for this purpose, the transceiver, in addition to controlling the/communicating with the motor 7 and/or second motor 51 with its receiver side, can transmit signals with the transmitter side on the status of said motors 7 and/or 51. Substancially, suitably, in this way the user can remotely control, for example via a mobile phone (preferably via smartphone), the ignition, shutdown and adjustment of the motors 7 and/or 51 and can receive, always via the mobile phone (preferably a smartphone), information on their current status.
Conveniently, the receiver 36, preferably provided with a transmitting module, is connected and/or incorporated to the electronic circuit of the microcontroller/microprocessor 35 of the control unit 31 to be operatively connected with the drivers 34 for controlling the motor 7 and with the interface module 41 of the data transmission wire 40 to thus communicate (both in transmission and in data reception) with the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (which is precisely connected and communicates with the first device 15 by means of said data transmission wire 40).
Conveniently, the second device 4 comprises a housing structure substantially corresponding to the housing structure 12 of the first device; preferably, the second motor 51, the second encoder 52 and the second control unit 53 are housed inside a casing substantially corresponding to the first casing 10 of the device 15.
Preferably, while the first device 15 - with the motor 7 and with the control unit 31 - acts as a master, the second device 4 - with the second motor 51 and with the second control unit 53 - acts as a slave.
Conveniently, in substance, in this way, a movement apparatus 60 according to the invention is defined which comprises a device 15 according to the invention, as described above, and a second device 4, each provided with its own motor (respectively 7 and 51) and its own control unit (31 and 53 respectively). Furthermore, suitably, the control units 31 and 53 of said two motors 7 and 51 are connected - and communicate - with each other by means of the data transmission wire 40 which emerges from the respective housing structures.
Advantageously, when the device 15 is associated with the second device 4, the power supply wires 38' and 38" are bifurcated and suitably connect the external power source in parallel to the respective control units 31 and 53 of said devices (see fig. 4 and 4a).
Conveniently, the data transmission wire 40 precisely allows data transmission from the control unit 31 of the first device 15, which acts as a master, to the second control unit 53 of the second device 4, which acts as a slave, and/or vice versa.
Advantageously, the control signals for the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) are sent, by means of the data transmission wire, from the control unit 31 of the first device 15 to the second control unit 53 of the second device 4. Basically therefore, the control unit 31 - having no receiver - receives the command signals for the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) only by means of the data transmission wire 40. Conveniently, also to the second motor 51 of the second device 4 is associated with an encoder 52 for detecting the position and/or speed of the motor 51 and/or the slider 54 of said second device 4.
Advantageously, the setting of the second control unit 53 for the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) is performed by wirelessly sending corresponding signals to the receiver 36 provided in the control unit 31 of the first device 15 and, suitably, these signals are then transmitted from the control unit 31 of the first device 15 to the control unit 31 of the second device 4 by means of the data transmission wire 40.
Basically, the data transmission wire 40 defines a channel (communication bus) on a wire between the control unit 31 of the first device 15 and the second control unit 53 of the second device 4. Preferably, said data transmission wire 40, with its interface module 41, define a channel for alternating bidirectional communication (half-duplex) between the control units 31 and 53 of the respective devices 15 and 4.
Conveniently, the control unit 31 and 53 are configured so that the data communication protocol through the wire 40 comprises also a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to verify the integrity of the data transmission, and in particular to identify any random transmission errors due to interference, line noise and distortion.
Advantageously, in the apparatus 60 according to the invention, the first motor 7 of the first device 15 and the second motor 51 of the second device 4 can operate in a synchronized or non-synchronized manner.
In particular, in the operating mode of the apparatus 60 in which the two motors 7 and 51 are synchronized with each other (to be used for example in a large pergola that requires two linear actuators 7 and 50 for its movement), the control unit control 31 for the motor 7 of the first device 15 (master) sends to the second control unit 53 of the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (slave) - via the data transmission wire 40 - the start and stop signals and/or synchronization signals.
Conveniently, said synchronization signals are defined by the control unit 31 of the first device 15 on the basis of the signals which in turn the control unit 53 of the second device 4 sends, again through the data transmission wire 40, to said control unit 31 of the first device 15.
Advantageously, again through the data transmission wire 40, the control unit 31 of the first device 15 sends to the second control unit 53 of the second device 4 the signals relating to the measurements made by the sensors associated with the installation, or the command signals deriving from said detections.
Conveniently, in the operating mode of the apparatus 60 in which the two motors 7 and 51 are not synchronized with each other (to be used for example in a pergola divided into two independent zones or in several pergolas present in the same environment), each motor is controlled from the respective control unit 31 and 53 independently of the other and, by means of the data transmission wire 40, only start/stop commands and/or signals for checking the status of each individual motor are transferred/sent. In particular, the control unit 31 of the first device 15 sends the start and stop signals to the second control unit 53 of the second device 54 - by means of the data transmission wire 40 - and/or requests information on the state of the second motor 51 of the second device 4.
Conveniently, in essence, the movement apparatus 60 can be used to vary the orientation of the lamellae 3 (i.e. make them rotate around their longitudinal axis) of two different pergolas, and to vary the orientation of the lamellae the same large pergola provided with correspondingly large lamellae and such as to suggest the use of two motors for their movement.
Conveniently, moreover, the movement apparatus 60 according to the invention can also be used in pergolas in which the lamellae 3 can be moved both by rotary motion around their longitudinal axis to be oriented according to the shielding effect to be obtained with, both of translational motion perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, to pass from an unfolded or closed condition to a packed or open condition. In particular, in this case, the first device 15 is used to vary the orientation of the lamellae 3 around their longitudinal axis, while the second device 4 is used to cause the translation of the lamellae to pass from an unfolded to a packed condition, or viceversa. Conveniently, also in this case, the corresponding motors 7 and 51 of said two devices 15 and 4 act in a synchronized manner thanks to the signals exchanged through the data transmission wire 40 and, in particular, the apparatus 60 is configured so that the second motor 51 of the second device 4 (which causes the lamellae 3 to be packed) is activated only when the lamellae 3 are or have reached - upon activation of the first motor 7 - a certain orientation around their own longitudinal axis.
From what has been said it is clear that the device according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that:

it has a particularly compact design, as it integrates a plurality of components inside; in particular, by integrating the control unit inside, it does not require the identification or creation, within the installation context, of a dedicated area for housing said control unit,
is quick and easy to install,
can be easily and readily controlled and set from the outside,
it can be used both individually and in combination with another device, in synchronized or unsynchronized mode.

In particular, in the device according to the invention, both the control unit and the encoder (or the other means for detecting the position and/or speed of the motor and/or the cursor) are housed inside a suitable casing, housing and, therefore, their electrical connection is defined in the factory at the time of construction of the device and, moreover, it is suitably protected inside the housing of the device itself; in other words, there is no external wire or cable, to be installed on site, in order to connect the encoder to the control unit which is generally external. This is particularly advantageous as it simplifies installation and, moreover, avoids the presence of external disturbances and interferences in the transmission of the signals detected by the encoder to the control unit.
The device according to the present invention has been described here in particular with reference to its application in a pergola, however it is understood that it can be used in any covering and/or closing installation, such as for example windows or skylights, or it can be used in a piece of furniture for the handling of a part of it, such as the support table in a desk.
The present invention has been illustrated and described in some of its preferred embodiments, but it is understood that executive variations may be applied to them in practice, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present patent for industrial invention.

Claims

A device (15) for moving and controlling of at least one covering and/or closing element (3), preferably in a covering and/or closing installation (1), comprising:
- a linear actuator (6) comprising a slider (8) which is movable with respect to a guide element (9), said slider being intended to be associated with said at least one element (3) to be moved,

- a housing structure (12) which is associated with said linear actuator (6) and inside which a motor (7) for moving the slider (8) of said linear actuator (6) and a control unit (31) are housed configured to control said motor (7), said control unit (31) comprises a wireless receiver (36) configured to receive command and control signals from the outside,
said device being characterized in that it comprises a data transmission wire (40) which at one end is connected to said control unit (31), provided inside said housing structure (12), and which at the other end, emerging from said housing structure (12), is configured to be connected and in bidirectional communication with another external device (4) and/or with an external interface.
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control unit (31) comprises an electronic card (30) on which are mounted:
- said receiver (36),

- the motor (7) control and command drivers (34),

- an interface module (41) with the data transmission wire (40),

- a microcontroller or a microprocessor (35) which is connected with said driver (34), with said receiver (36) and with said interface module (41),

- a power supply unit (33) for the motor (7) and for the components mounted on said electronic board (30), said power supply unit (33) being connected by means of electrical power supply wires (38', 38") with a power source which is external to said housing structure (12).
Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said data transmission wire (40) and said power supply wires (38', 38") are gathered inside a single cable (41) which protrudes from the housing structure (12).
Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting the position and/or the speed of rotation of the motor (7) and/or the position and/or the axial/linear advancement speed of the slider (8).
Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said means for detecting the position and/or speed of rotation of the motor (7) comprise an encoder (46) which is associated with the motor (7) and is configured to detect the position and/or speed of rotation of said motor (7), said encoder (46) being connected (37) with said control unit (30) and being housed inside the housing structure (12).
Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said encoder (46) is rotary and of the magnetic type.
Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said receiver (36) also comprises a module for transmitting signals to the outside.
Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said data transmission wire (40), with its interface module (41) provided in said control unit (31), define a communication channel towards the external device of the device itself of alternating bidirectional type, and in which a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is preferably implemented.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing structure (12) comprises:
- a first casing (10) in which the motor (7) and the control unit (31) are housed, said motor (7) and said control unit (31) being aligned along the longitudinal development direction of said first casing (10),

- a second casing (11) for housing the mechanism for transmitting and converting the motion from said motor (7) to the slider (8) of said actuator (6),
and by the fact that said first casing (10) develops parallel to said fixed guide element (9) of said actuator (6).
Movement apparatus (60) for a covering and/or closing installation (1), characterized in that it comprises:
- a first device (15) according to one or more of the preceding claims,

- at least a second device (4) which comprises a second (own) motor (51) and a second (own) control unit (53),
and by the fact that the control unit (31) of said first device (15) is connected and communicates bidirectionally with the second control unit (53) of said second device (4) exclusively by means of said data transmission wire (40), said apparatus also being configured so that the control signals for said second motor (51) are received by the receiver (36) of the control unit (31) of said first device (15) and are transmitted to the second control unit (53) of the second device (4) by means of the data transmission wire (40).
Apparatus according to the previous claim, characterized in that said second device (4) comprises a second linear actuator (50) comprising a slider (54) which is moved by said second motor (51) with respect to a guide element, thus providing a linear movement out of said second device (4).
Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that said second motor (51) of the second device (4) is configured to provide a rotary output motion from said second device (4).
Apparatus according to one or more of claims 10 - 12, characterized in that said second device (4) also comprises a second encoder (52) associated with said second motor (51) and connected to said second control unit (53) which, in turn, is connected and communicates via said data transmission wire (40) the readings of said second encoder (52) to the control unit (53) of the first device (15), thus allowing the synchronized operation of said first device (15), which acts as master, and of said at least one second device (4), which acts as slave.
Apparatus according to one or more of claims 10-12, characterized in that the first motor (7) of the first device (15) and the second motor (51) of the second device (4) are not synchronized with each other, each of said motors (7, 51) being controlled by the respective control unit (31, 53) independently of the other and, by means of said data transmission wire (40), only start/stop commands and/or signals for checking the status of each individual motor are transferred/sent
Apparatus according to one or more of claims 10-14, characterized in that it is configured so that the setting of the second control unit (53) for the second motor (51) of the second device (4) is carried out sending via wireless corresponding signals to the receiver (36) provided in the control unit (31) of the first device (15).