Window Blind Slat Locking Slots for Cord Pull-Out Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window blinds pose a safety risk as children can easily pull lift sections out of the slats, which can lead to strangulation due to the free movement of cords in bores.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating locking slots with open and closed ends connected to bores in window blind slats, where the cord diameter is greater than or equal to the slot width, preventing the cord from being pulled out by clamping it with the slot edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lift section is allowed to move freely in the bores for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety risk increases as children can pull the cord out
Solution Approach 1:
The bore is segmented into two functional zones: a free movement section that allows the cord to move freely for easy operation, and a locking slot section that prevents the cord from being completely pulled out. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both operational freedom and safety containment within the same structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking slot acts as an intermediary structure between the free movement section and the external environment. It mediates the cord's movement by allowing it to pass through freely in one direction while preventing complete extraction in the opposite direction, thus resolving the safety concern without compromising operational ease.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cord diameter is increased to prevent pulling out, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the cord becomes harder to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the overall cord diameter, the invention segments the bore structure to create a locking slot with specific dimensional relationships. The locking slot width is designed to be between 0.5-2 times the cord diameter, creating a controlled restriction that prevents complete pull-out while still allowing the cord to be manipulated for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the locking slot (width, length, depth) relative to the cord diameter to achieve the desired effect. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system prevents cord extraction while maintaining operational ease, resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent cord extraction, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing bore structure by forming a locking slot as an integral part of the slat. This eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms, devices, or components, thus improving safety while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking slot provides automatic locking functionality through its geometric design alone, without requiring additional active components, motors, or control systems. The structure itself performs the safety function, resolving the contradiction between safety improvement and complexity reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A window blind includes a headrail, a bottom rail, a plurality of slats, and a cord. The slats are arranged between the headrail and the bottom rail, and each slat has two bores and one or plural of locking slots. Each locking slot has an open end and a closed end, and the opening end of the locking slot is connected to the bore. The cord passes through the headrail and the bores of the slats, and being fastened to the bottom rail. A diameter of the cord is greater than or equal to a width of the locking slot. As a result, the cord goes into the locking slot quickly and can be clamped by edges of the locking slot while a kid is trying to pull the cord out of the slats.