Window Shade Cord Lock With Knurled Roller and Inclined Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cord lock apparatuses for window shades suffer from durability issues due to point contact friction, limited adaptability to varying cord diameters, and require replacement when cord diameters change, hindering modular design and accurate assembly.
Innovation Solution
A cord lock apparatus featuring a base with an adjustable portion, a panel structure with a knurled roller and engaging block, and a cord separating member, allowing for multiple contact points and easy diameter adjustments by replacing the engaging block, which accommodates cords of different diameters and reduces friction through a sliding bush structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking dog means with stopping members is used to lock cords, then the cords can be locked at a fixed position, but the durability of the engaging cords deteriorates due to point contact friction concentrating the weight of the shade member on a single contact point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point contact friction to surface contact friction by introducing an inclined plane structure. The cord engages with an inclined surface rather than a single point, distributing the load across a larger area and reducing stress concentration on the cord, thereby improving durability while maintaining locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a movable locking member that can dynamically adjust its position along the inclined plane. This dynamic structure allows the system to adapt to different cord positions and maintains optimal contact pressure, improving both durability and locking reliability under varying load conditions.
2Device complexity
If a single specification engagement mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to varying cord diameters deteriorates, requiring replacement of the entire mechanism when cord diameter changes
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is divided into modular components: a base structure, a locking member, and replaceable cord engagement elements. This segmentation allows specific components to be replaced or adjusted for different cord diameters without replacing the entire mechanism, improving adaptability while keeping overall complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure and locking mechanism are designed as universal components that can accommodate multiple cord diameters. By making the cord engagement elements interchangeable or adjustable, a single engagement mechanism design serves multiple functions across different applications, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the engagement mechanism is replaced when cord diameter changes, then the adaptability to varying cord diameters is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates due to requiring multiple specifications of engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the engagement mechanism into a universal base and interchangeable cord engagement elements, manufacturers can produce standardized base components in large quantities and separately produce different cord engagement elements for various diameters. This reduces manufacturing complexity compared to producing entirely different mechanisms for each cord size.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal base structure can be manufactured once and used across all engagement mechanism variants, improving ease of manufacture. The standardized interface allows different cord engagement elements to be interchangeably mounted on the same base, simplifying assembly procedures and reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
4Device complexity
If the gap between stopping members is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different shade weights and thicknesses deteriorates, requiring different cord diameters and mechanism replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between engagement elements is made adjustable or dynamically adaptable through the movable locking member design. The mechanism can automatically adjust its effective engagement gap based on the cord diameter and load conditions, providing adaptability to different shade specifications without increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective engagement parameters (gap size, contact pressure, engagement depth) are made variable through the inclined plane and movable locking member design. These parameters can be adjusted by changing cord diameter or position, allowing the same mechanism to adapt to different shade weights and thicknesses without structural modification.
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 solution enhances durability, simplifies cord installation, and allows for flexible use with varying cord diameters, reducing the force required for operation and enabling easier adjustment of window shades, while facilitating mass production and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
the knurled roller rotating axially to the axial hole and thus lockly grip or release the cords therebetween
Implementation Method 2
reduces friction through a sliding bush structure
Data Source
AI summary
A cord lock apparatus of a window shade is provided, which includes a base, a panel structure, and a cord gripping device. The base includes an adjustable portion allowing cords to pass through and a first-direction ascending opening is formed allowing the cords to be alternatively positioned. The panel structure having an insert plate and a second-direction ascending opening is provided allowing cords to pass through, when the cords are selectively positioned along the inclined surface, the panel structure is moved in a vertically upward or downward motion. The cord gripping device has an engaging block and a knurled roller, the engaging block is removably attached within the accommodation recess. The knurled roller is positioned near the top of the engaging block and a gap is formed therebetween, such that the knurled roller is frictionally locked with or released from the cords when the panel structure moves vertically downward or upward.