Retrofit Blackout Visor for Venetian Blind Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional external venetian blinds fail to achieve complete blackout and visual protection due to gaps between the blind and guide rails, and existing solutions require replacement of entire blinds or components, leading to high costs and waste.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit blackout shield with an adjustable screen that moves between two positions to cover the gap between the blind and guide rail, allowing for complete closure and easy integration with existing slat blinds, enhancing light control, burglary resistance, and wind stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional venetian blind is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but complete blackout and visual protection cannot be achieved due to gaps between the blind and guide rails
Solution Approach 1:
The blackout solution is segmented into separate components: the existing venetian blind structure and the additional blackout visor attached to the guide rail. This allows the blackout function to be added without redesigning the entire blind system, maintaining simplicity while achieving complete light blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
The blackout visor is nested within the existing blind structure by attaching it to the guide rail, which is already part of the venetian blind system. The visor operates within the same spatial envelope as the existing blind, overlapping with the blind panel when closed and retracting when open, thus integrating seamlessly without adding external complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If the blackout visor is moved to the second position to cover the gap, then complete blackout is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to the adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism for the blackout visor is merged with the existing venetian blind drive system. The same motor and control mechanism that operates the blind panel are used to operate the blackout visor, eliminating the need for a separate adjustment mechanism and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing drive mechanism of the venetian blind is given multi-functionality by connecting it to both the blind panel and the blackout visor. This single mechanism performs dual functions: operating the main blind structure and controlling the blackout visor position, thereby achieving complete blackout without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If a blackout solution is added to existing blinds, then complete blackout is achieved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to retrofit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The blackout visor is extracted as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then attached to existing guide rails. This extraction approach allows the blackout function to be added to existing blinds through simple attachment rather than requiring complete manufacturing and installation of a new integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The blackout visor is designed with dynamic attachment capabilities, allowing it to be easily installed on existing guide rails and integrated into the operational system. The visor can be attached at the production plant and delivered as a complete unit, or attached on-site to already installed blinds, providing flexibility in manufacturing and installation approaches.
4Reliability
If the blackout visor overlaps the blind panel when closed, then burglar resistance and wind stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning control of the blackout visor is merged with the existing blind control system. The same adjustment mechanism that controls the blind panel position also controls the blackout visor position, ensuring that the visor automatically overlaps with the blind panel when closed and retracts when open, without requiring separate positioning controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The blackout visor system utilizes the existing operational characteristics of the venetian blind to automatically achieve the overlapping position when closed. By coupling the visor adjustment to the blind panel movement, the system self-regulates the visor position based on the blind state, eliminating the need for complex independent positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
A blackout panel (12) for a venetian blind (10) comprises at least one blackout visor (14) which can be attached to a guide rail (16) of the venetian blind (10), and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is designed to move the blackout visor (14) into a first position when the venetian blind (10) is in a substantially fully open state, in which the blackout visor (14) does not overlap with any of the blind fabric (18) of the venetian blind (10). Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism is designed to move the blackout visor (14) into a second position when the venetian blind (10) is in a substantially fully closed state, in which the blackout visor (14) overlaps with any of the blind fabric (18) of the venetian blind (10).