External venetian blinds on large front windows are becoming ever more popular because, unlike roller shutters, they can individually control light incidence. This is difficult to accomplish manually – an intelligent automation solution is needed here. At the heart of the venetian blind automation is the drive. Two features of the drive are particularly important: It must be capable of moving precisely to intermediate positions for maximum daylighting efficiency. In addition, despite the high performance, it should work smoothly while being as gentle as possible on the material. Now, with the JA Soft Top, elero has developed a new venetian blind drive that fulfils these requirements.

New drive with torque cut-out
The key feature is the torque cut-out: During its first travel, the drive divides the travel of the venetian blind into sectors and measures the required torque. The drive stores these data for future travels. Later, if the threshold is exceeded by a certain amount – for example, because the venetian blind is frozen tight in winter – the drive switches off immediately. This feature protects both the drive itself and the venetian blind. The JA Soft Top also allows for precise inching operation so that venetian blind slats can be adjusted accurately at the touch of a button without any delay.

Easy commissioning
The particular focus during the development of the JA Soft Top drive was to ensure easy commissioning. When the drive is delivered, the lower end position is already programmed. Starting from this position of the venetian blind, only the upper end position has to be programmed using the elero installation cable. If alterations or renovations take place, a convenient programming mode allows for programming of both end positions.

If the drive is combined with control units of the elero ProLine series, intelligent automation solutions can be implemented: from a wall transmitter with up/stop/down functions to intelligent timers with Astro function that automatically open and close venetian blinds at sunrise and sunset. In addition, elero offers sun/wind sensors that measure wind strength and the amount of sunlight to operate venetian blinds accordingly when a specific threshold is exceeded. With such an automation package, large front windows with external venetian blinds are no longer a problem: In summer, glare protection is guaranteed.