Cord-Shrouded Window Shade With Spring Roller Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window shades pose a risk of entanglement and strangulation due to loose cords, and require manual operation that exposes cords to children, which is undesirable for safety and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A window shade design featuring a spring-loaded roller with cords encased in collapsible shrouds and strategically placed cord guides, ensuring the cords are always enclosed and preventing loose ends, while allowing for easy operation by winding and unwinding around the roller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cords are used to raise and lower the shade, then the shade can be operated easily, but cords pose entanglement and strangulation risks to children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful cord element from the operational system by using a cordless lift mechanism. The shade is raised and lowered through a spring-loaded roller system that eliminates the need for exposed cords, thereby maintaining ease of operation while removing the entanglement and strangulation hazards associated with traditional corded systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the spring-loaded roller system with cord guides and shrouds) that replaces direct cord operation. This intermediary system allows the shade to be lifted and lowered safely through integrated controls that keep all lifting mechanisms enclosed and inaccessible to children, while still providing smooth manual operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cords are disposed along the outer face of the shade, then uniform folding is promoted, but cords become accessible and attractive to children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing cord guides and shrouds within the structural framework of the shade itself. The cord guides are integrated into the shade's headrail and folding mechanism, with shrouds that collapse into the folded shade structure, keeping all cord-related components enclosed and inaccessible while maintaining proper folding behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible shrouds that cover and enclose the cord guides and lifting mechanisms. These shrouds are designed to collapse with the shade when folded, maintaining a clean appearance and preventing child access to internal mechanisms, while allowing the shade to fold uniformly through the integrated guide structure.
3Device complexity
If traditional cord systems are used, then the structure is simple, but safety risks and aesthetic issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system. The spring-loaded roller, cord guides, shrouds, and folding mechanism are combined into one unified lift system that eliminates separate cords while maintaining structural simplicity. This integrated approach provides safety and aesthetic benefits without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
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 effectively prevents cord entanglement and strangulation by keeping cords enclosed, enhancing safety and aesthetics by maintaining a clean, cord-free appearance and allowing for easy operation without exposing cords, thus reducing the risk of accidents and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
A window shade design featuring a spring-loaded roller with cords encased in collapsible shrouds
Data Source
AI summary
A window shade that reduces the risk of an individual becoming entangled in cords used to operate the shade includes a headrail adapted for horizontal mounting above a window, a shading material attached to the headrail, and at least one cord for raising and lowering the shading material. The cord is attached to a location adjacent a lower end of the material, and extends upward through cord guides toward the headrail. The cord is encased within a collapsible shroud attached to each cord guide. The shroud is adapted to longitudinally extend as the shading material is lowered toward a deployed position, and then longitudinally collapse as the shading material is raised toward a stowed position. The cord is secured to and is wound about a spring-loaded roller. The roller provides tension on the cord that counterbalances the weight of the shade so that the shading material may be positioned at any desired level.