Architectural Covering Booster Mechanism for Full Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing architectural-structure coverings face issues with incomplete deployment due to insufficient gravitational force, premature deployment of bottom rails, and shadow lines caused by vane orientation, which affect the functionality and aesthetics of the covering.
Innovation Solution
An external booster mechanism is integrated outside the rotatable member to provide additional rotation, preventing premature deployment of bottom rails and ensuring complete extension, while a scoop on the rotatable member maintains the bottom rail position, and the covering vanes are oriented perpendicular to incoming light to minimize shadow lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the covering relies solely on gravitational force for deployment, then the structure remains simple, but the deployment is incomplete and the covering cannot reach the fully extended position
Solution Approach 1:
The external booster mechanism is pre-positioned and pre-charged with potential energy (via spring compression) before deployment is needed. When triggered, it immediately provides the necessary rotational force to complete the deployment sequence that gravity alone cannot achieve, ensuring the covering reaches its fully extended position.
Solution Approach 2:
The external booster acts as an intermediary mechanism between the gravitational force and the covering deployment. It receives the trigger signal and converts stored potential energy into kinetic energy to provide the additional rotation needed, mediating the transition from partial to complete deployment.
2Reliability
If the bottom rail is allowed to deploy freely with the covering, then the structure remains simple, but the rail drops prematurely and contacts the head rail assembly causing noise and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The scoop on the rotatable member is pre-positioned to engage the bottom rail at the precise moment when the covering reaches its fully extended position. This preliminary positioning ensures that the rail is captured and held securely, preventing any premature deployment or contact with the head rail assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the position of the covering is monitored (through the rotational position of the rotatable member), and the scoop is positioned to engage the bottom rail only when the correct position is reached. This feedback control ensures reliable operation by preventing premature rail deployment.
3Ease of manufacture
If the vanes are oriented horizontally in the fully extended position, then the structure remains simple, but shadow lines are created affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the vanes from the conventional horizontal position to a perpendicular orientation relative to incoming light. This is achieved by providing additional rotation through the external booster mechanism, which rotates the rotatable member beyond the standard deployment position, thereby eliminating shadow lines while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 external booster ensures smooth, uninterrupted deployment of the covering to a fully extended position without operator intervention, prevents premature rail drop, and eliminates shadow lines, enhancing operational efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
an external booster mechanism is integrated outside the rotatable member to provide additional rotation
Implementation Method 2
a scoop on the rotatable member maintains the bottom rail position
Implementation Method 3
The bottom rail may be provided to add weight to the bottom portion of the covering to encourage the covering to drop under a gravitational force during deployment
Data Source
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AI summary
An architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The architectural-structure covering may include a covering moveable between retracted and extended positions, and between closed and open configurations. The covering may include front and rear sheets and a plurality of vanes extending therebetween. In the deployed position, the covering may be configured so that the vanes are positioned substantially perpendicular to the incoming light. The architectural-structure covering may also include a rotatable member including a scoop configured to create a pocket to secure a bottom rail of a rear covering so that the bottom rail does not prematurely deploy. Moreover, the architectural-structure covering may also include an external booster movable between a first state of operation wherein the external booster stores potential energy and a second state of operation wherein the external booster releases the stored potential energy to rotate the rotatable member in a predetermined direction to effect additional rotation of a covering.