Concealing Device Tow Bar Compensation Rods Non-Parallel Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screening devices for motor vehicles with non-parallel guide rails face issues of unexpected movement and damage due to the canvas or pull bar swinging around the axis of the tube, especially when the glazed surface is tilted or of irregular shape, leading to shocks and noise.
Innovation Solution
A pull bar is guided using two rods with connection points to the shoe in one rail and the pull bar, forming an axis of rotation perpendicular to the concealment element's plane, allowing for compensation of rail spacing variations and reducing rocking, with an angle range of 100-170°, suitable for heavy and long blinds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pull bar is guided in non-parallel rails to accommodate tilted or irregular glazed surfaces, then the screening device can be installed on various window shapes, but the variable distance between rails causes the canvas or pull bar to swing around the tube axis, generating shocks and noise
Solution Approach 1:
A compensating rod is introduced as an intermediary element between the pull bar and the shoe in the rail. This rod absorbs the variability in rail spacing through its adjustable length or articulation, preventing the pull bar from swinging and thus eliminating shocks and noise while maintaining compatibility with non-parallel rails
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of rod length or articulation angle dynamically or adjustably to compensate for the variable distance between non-parallel rails. By adjusting this parameter, the pull bar remains stable without swinging, preventing harmful shocks and noise while adapting to different rail configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic or sliding element is used in the pull bar to accommodate variable rail spacing, then the device can work with non-parallel rails, but the solidity and reliability are compromised, especially for heavy or long blinds
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating rod acts as a robust intermediary component that maintains structural integrity. Rather than making the pull bar itself telescopic or sliding (which compromises reliability), the rod provides a stable, reliable connection that accommodates rail variability through its own adjustment mechanism, ensuring the system remains solid and reliable even for heavy or long blinds
3Ease of operation
If the canvas is deployed from top to bottom on tilted glazed surfaces, then the concealment function is achieved, but the fabric moves away from the pane, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating rod serves as a mediator that maintains the correct geometric relationship between the pull bar and the rail. By compensating for rail non-parallelism, it ensures the canvas is pulled evenly and remains properly positioned against the glazed surface during top-to-bottom deployment, preventing the fabric from moving away from the pane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The device has a draw bar (16) driving a concealing element i.e. blind-canvas (11), between a folded position and an unfolded position. Two connecting-rods (15) compensate a variation of a space between two non-parallel guiding rails (17), where each rod has articulation points (21, 22). The articulation point (22) is connected to a spacer distributed in one of the rails, and the articulation point (21) is connected to the draw bar. The two articulation points implement a rotation axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the blind-canvas in the unfolded position.