Cassette Blind Side Guide Frontal Mounting and Wind Lock

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing architectural covering arrangements, such as cassette blinds, are cumbersome to install, especially when there is no room to mount the cassette above the side guides, and current solutions do not provide a convenient method for easy assembly and removal of side guide covers, which can be loosened by wind forces.

Innovation Solution

The architectural covering arrangement allows for efficient installation by mounting the cassette without raising it above the side guide profiles, using U-shaped profiles for side guides with a removable cover that engages with hooked flanges to prevent wind-induced loosening, and includes spring connectors for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the cassette is mounted directly underneath a ceiling or top part of a window frame, then the installation space is optimized, but the cassette cannot be lowered from a position vertically above the side guide profiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidcassette mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side guide is divided into two separate channels: a first channel for receiving the rail and a second channel for receiving the connection portion of the cassette. This segmentation allows the cassette to be mounted by inserting its connection portion into the second channel from the front, rather than requiring vertical lowering from above.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting approach is changed from a vertical dimension (lowering from above) to a horizontal dimension (inserting from the front). The second channel is configured to receive the cassette connection portion from the front, enabling installation in spaces where vertical mounting is not possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the side guide cover is made removable for easy assembly, then the assembly convenience is improved, but the cover can be loosened by wind forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover assemblyVSAvoidcover fixation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is provided with engagement features that prevent wind-induced loosening before the problem occurs. The cover engages with the side guide structure in a manner that resists wind forces while still allowing intentional removal for assembly and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of manufacture

If the cassette and side guides are assembled on the ground before mounting, then the assembly is simplified, but the installation process becomes more cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The side guide is segmented into two channels that can receive different components independently. The rail is inserted into the first channel and the cassette into the second channel separately, allowing for simplified on-site assembly without requiring pre-assembly on the ground.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2236731B1Covering arrangement for architectural openings
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 HUNTER DOUGLAS IND BV
  • EP2236731B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2236731B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2236731B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a covering arrangement of a cassette type with side guides with the side guides configured to allow mounting the cassette atop the side guides from a frontal direction..