Ballistic Resistant Window Blinds Using Composite Slats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current window blind systems lack effective protection against unauthorized entry and ballistic threats, with existing ballistic systems being either excessively heavy or weak and flimsy.
Innovation Solution
A window blind system incorporating ballistic-resistant slats made from materials like Kevlar, Lexan, or DuPont Tensylon, combined with a control system and sensing mechanism that can transition from an open state to a protective closed state upon detecting a threatening event, providing resistance to high-speed ballistic objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal plates are used to create ballistic systems, then ballistic resistance is improved, but weight becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple layers of ballistic-resistant material (such as Kevlar, Lexan, or DuPont Tensylon) with window blind slats. This composite structure provides effective ballistic resistance while maintaining a significantly lower weight compared to traditional metal plate armor, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
2Weight of moving object
If plastic materials are used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but ballistic resistance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of multiple layers of high-strength plastic materials (Kevlar, Lexan, DuPont Tensylon) bonded together. This composite construction achieves sufficient ballistic resistance while maintaining low weight, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic-resistant material is applied specifically to the slats that require protection, rather than making the entire blind system uniformly heavy. This localized application of high-strength material provides necessary ballistic resistance only where needed, maintaining overall system lightness while achieving protective function.
3Ease of operation
If conventional window blinds are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but protection against unauthorized entry is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the window blind system multi-functional by combining the conventional light-control function with ballistic protection function. The same slats that provide light adjustment also provide ballistic resistance when constructed with specialized materials, eliminating the need for separate security systems and maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blind system maintains dynamic operability allowing users to adjust slats for light control while also providing static protective function when closed. The system transitions between operational states (open/closed/adjusted) while maintaining both usability and protection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A blind system comprising a plurality of slats having a ballistic resistant material; a control system operably configured to cause a change in state of the blind from an open state to a protective closed state; and a sensing system operably configured to detect a threatening event, wherein the sensing system upon sensing the threatening event triggers the control system to transition from the open state to the protective state such that in the protective state, the blinds are adapted to be resistant to penetration by high-speed ballistic objects