Blind Vane Repair Clip for Restoring Connection Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane repair methods, such as adhesive patches and rigid clips, are inefficient, aesthetically displeasing, and can damage vanes or require complex installation, while replacing vanes or blinds is costly and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
A blind repair device with a resilient or rigid body featuring a central opening and reinforcement structure, designed to align with the vane's connection aperture, allowing secure attachment to a blind runner without specialized tools, accommodating various vane sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If adhesive patches are used to repair damaged vanes, then the vane can be temporarily repaired, but the adhesive degrades and wears off over time when exposed to sunlight, causing the patch to peel off and requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable snap-in repair pieces that are inexpensive to manufacture and replace. These repair pieces are designed to be easily swapped out when worn or damaged, eliminating the need for durable long-term solutions. The repair pieces can be made from cheap materials like plastic or metal and are replaced rather than repaired themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair system divides the repair function into separate components: the base vane structure and the detachable snap-in repair pieces. This segmentation allows the repair pieces to be independently replaced without affecting the entire vane or blind system, enabling easy maintenance and repair of individual damaged areas.
2Ease of repair
If repair patches are used to repair damaged vanes, then the connection aperture can be restored, but the patches leave adhesive residue that attracts dust and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-in repair pieces are designed as disposable components that are inserted rather than adhered. This eliminates adhesive residue entirely, as the repair pieces simply snap into place mechanically without requiring any adhesive substances that would leave attracting residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the adhesive-based mechanical bonding system with a snap-fit mechanical system. Instead of using adhesives to attach repair patches, the design uses elastic deformation and mechanical interlocking through the snap-in mechanism, eliminating the harmful adhesive residue problem.
3Ease of repair
If rigid repair clips are used to repair damaged vanes, then the connection aperture can be restored, but the clips must be precisely sized and shaped to fit specific vane dimensions, making universal application difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The repair device incorporates adjustable parameters including the opening size of the body, the position of the first and second openings in the reinforcement structure, and the deformation characteristics of the resilient material. These adjustable parameters allow the same basic device design to accommodate various vane sizes and shapes while maintaining a secure fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair device uses dynamic elements including the resilient material that can deform elastically during installation and the movable body that can open and close. This dynamic behavior allows the device to adapt to different vane dimensions during installation while providing a consistent secure fit once installed.
4Ease of repair
If fasteners are used to secure repair patches or clips to vanes, then the repair structure can be attached, but installation requires special tools like pliers and complex steps, discouraging users from performing repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-in repair mechanism is designed to be self-installing without requiring external tools. The elastic deformation of the resilient material provides the necessary force to snap the repair piece into place, and the user simply needs to press the repair piece into the opening, eliminating the need for pliers or other specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the fastener-based mechanical attachment system with a snap-fit elastic deformation system. Instead of using screws, clips, or other fasteners that require tools, the design uses the elastic properties of the resilient material to create a tool-free attachment mechanism.
5Ease of repair
If fasteners or tools are used during repair installation, then the repair structure can be secured to the vane, but the vanes may be scratched or damaged during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fastener-based mechanical system with an elastic snap-fit system that distributes installation forces evenly across the repair piece and vane interface. This eliminates concentrated point loads from fasteners that could scratch or damage the vane surface during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient material inherently provides cushioning during the snap-in installation process, absorbing and distributing the insertion forces to prevent damage to the vane. The elastic deformation acts as a built-in protective mechanism that prevents excessive forces from reaching the vane surface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The repair device effectively restores vane functionality, is easy to install, and maintains aesthetic appeal by securely attaching to vanes of different dimensions, reducing waste and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the body can be expanded to more easily fit the vane through the central opening
Implementation Method 2
The body can have gripping elements such as nodes, teeth, or a rough surface to secure the repair device to the vane
Data Source
AI summary
A blind repair device for repairing a vane of a blind system has a generally oblong body having a central opening, and a repair structure that can be aligned with a connection aperture of the vane. The repair device can be fit over and secured to the vane to align the repair structure with the connection aperture such that the ability of the vane to couple to a runner/hanger of the blind system is restored. The repair device can be expanded to more easily fit the vane through the central opening. The body of the device can be made of a resilient material, a rigid material, or a combination of resilient and rigid materials. The body can have gripping elements such as nodes, teeth, or a rough surface to secure the repair device to the vane.