Bracket Member with Releasable Cover for Screening Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing supporting means for screening devices do not efficiently accommodate arbitrary screening devices, particularly electric ones, as they expose electrical contact points when not in use and complicate mounting due to design constraints.

Innovation Solution

The supporting means feature a bracket member with a releasable cover hiding electrical contact points, maintaining aesthetic appeal and ensuring consistent spacing for electric connections, along with resilient terminals for tolerance compensation and easy mounting, allowing universal applicability to both electric and non-electric devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrical contact points are exposed on the bracket member, then electrical connection to electric screening devices is enabled, but aesthetic appearance and protection of contact points are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket member is divided into two functional segments: a visible aesthetic face and a hidden functional face containing electrical contact points. The cover member can be removed to expose the electrical contact points for connection, then replaced to restore the aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows the same component to serve both aesthetic and electrical functions at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical contact points are extracted from the visible surface of the bracket member and placed on a hidden face. The cover member acts as a barrier that separates the aesthetic function (visible face) from the electrical function (hidden face with contact points). When electrical connection is needed, the cover is removed to access the extracted contact points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket member is designed to accommodate arbitrary screening devices, then versatility is improved, but mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with arbitrary screening devicesVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket member is designed with universal engagement sides that can accommodate various types of coupling members from different screening devices. The engagement sides feature standardized geometries (such as slots, tabs, or engagement protrusions) that work with corresponding coupling member designs, enabling the same bracket to support manual screens, electric screens, and other screening devices without requiring device-specific bracket variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If electrical contact points are positioned close to the frame piece, then space is saved, but protection and aesthetic appearance of contact points are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidexposure to damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contact points are nested within a recess or cavity in the bracket member, similar to how a doll is nested within a larger container. This recess protects the contact points from external damage while maintaining compact space utilization. The cover member can be positioned over this recess to provide additional protection and aesthetic coverage when electrical connection is not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3203008B1A bracket member for supporting a screening device in a window or door frame
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3203008B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3203008B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3203008B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A bracket member (9) of a supporting means for supporting a screening device in a frame structure, which has at least one pair of opposed frame pieces (5, 6), said supporting means comprising a pair of bracket members (9, 9') provided for mounting on a respective frame piece (5, 6) of said pair of opposed frame pieces and a pair of coupling members (30) positioned at either of two opposing ends of the screening device. The bracket member (9) comprises a base (10) for abutment on the frame piece (5), a main face (11) opposite the base (10) and at least one bracket member engagement side (12) for engaging a coupling member of the screening device. A part of the main face (11) is provided by a releasable cover member (15), below which an electrical contact point is provided.