Motorized Roller Blind for Angled Architectural Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller blinds are unable to fully fit and cover angled architectural openings, particularly when the angled side is at the top or bottom, as they are designed for rectangular shapes and can only extend vertically from the top side, limiting their installation flexibility and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A roller blind assembly comprising a frame, roller tube assembly, chain assembly, track assembly, extension assembly, retraction assembly, and motor assembly, which allows for full coverage of angled openings by extending and retracting horizontally and vertically, accommodating modified rectangular shapes with angled sides, and includes features like a curved roller sheet guide and adjustable brackets for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing roller blinds are designed for rectangular openings with vertical extension only, then they can properly extend and retract using gravity assistance, but they cannot fully fit and cover angled architectural openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to fit angled architectural openingsVSAvoidextension and retraction mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional vertical extension direction by enabling horizontal extension from side-mounted rollers. This allows the blind to adapt to angled openings where the fabric extends perpendicular to the roller axis, rather than always extending downward under gravity. The mechanism transforms the operation from gravity-assisted vertical descent to motor-driven horizontal traversal along angled tracks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capabilities through motorized rollers that can rotate and extend along angled tracks. The system transitions from a static vertical-only configuration to a dynamic system where the roller position and fabric extension direction can be adjusted to match various angles of architectural openings, maintaining proper operation across different geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the roller is mounted at the top side for vertical extension, then gravity assists extension and retraction, but the roller cannot properly extend and retract to fit angled openings requiring horizontal extension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation orientation flexibilityVSAvoidgravity assistance for extension

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gravity-based mechanical extension system with an motorized system. Instead of relying on gravity to pull the fabric downward during extension and retraction, electric motors mounted on the rollers provide the force necessary to extend and retract the fabric along angled tracks, eliminating the dependency on vertical orientation and gravitational force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing roller blinds use a simple rectangular design, then they are easy to manufacture and install, but they cannot cover angled architectural openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of non-standard opening shapesVSAvoidmechanical and structural design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal roller blind system that can handle multiple types of architectural openings through a standardized motorized mechanism. The same basic components (motorized roller, adjustable track, fabric sheet) can be configured for vertical, horizontal, and angled installations, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various opening geometries without requiring fundamentally different designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds angular dimensionality to the traditional two-dimensional vertical blind system. By introducing angled tracks and side-mounted rollers that can orient at various angles, the system transitions from a single-axis vertical operation to a multi-dimensional configuration capable of accommodating openings with any angle, effectively adding a rotational degree of freedom to the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11391088B2Roller blind assembly

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 MCKEE JOSEPH S

AI summary

Implementations of a roller blind assembly for angled architectural openings are provided. In some implementations, the roller blind assembly comprises a frame, a roller tube assembly, a roller blind sheet, a chain assembly, a track assembly, an extension assembly, a retraction assembly, and a motor assembly.In some implementations, a method of using the roller blind assembly comprises installing the roller blind assembly to fully fit the perimeter of an angled architectural opening and operating the roller blind assembly to fully cover the opening of the angled architectural opening.