Covering for architectural opening including cell structures biased to open
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular shades for architectural openings are limited in their ability to maintain a clean appearance during retraction and extension, as they either stack vertically, exposing the cells and potentially damaging them, or wrap around a roller, which can cause distortion and damage. Additionally, they lack efficient insulation and aesthetic appeal in both retracted and extended states.
Innovation Solution
A cellular panel system where cells are designed to be biased open when extended, using a thermoformable cellular support member that conforms to a support tube shape, allowing for both retraction around a support tube and extension without distortion, while maintaining insulation and aesthetic appeal by trapping air and providing a consistent appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If cellular shades are retracted by stacking vertically, then the cells can be stored compactly, but the cells are exposed and potentially damaged, and the appearance is not clean
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular shade panel is designed to wrap around and nest within a support tube during retraction, with the cells conforming to the tube's cylindrical shape. This nesting approach protects the cells from exposure and damage while maintaining a compact storage configuration within the headrail.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular fabric is designed with sufficient flexibility to wrap around the support tube without creasing or damaging the cells. The fabric's ability to conform to the cylindrical shape of the tube while maintaining its structural integrity protects the cells during retraction and extension cycles.
2Volume of moving object
If cellular shades wrap around a roller for retraction, then storage is efficient, but the cells become distorted and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular support members are designed with specific structural parameters that enable them to bend and conform to the support tube's curvature during retraction. The support members can flex to match the tube's radius while maintaining the cells' geometric integrity, preventing distortion and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular shade combines flexible fabric with structurally supportive cellular support members. This composite structure allows the fabric to wrap around the support tube while the support members maintain the cells' shape and prevent distortion, resolving the conflict between retraction efficiency and shape integrity.
3Loss of energy
If cells are designed to expand outward when unrolled, then insulation is improved, but the appearance may be distorted when retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular support members are designed to be dynamically flexible, allowing the cells to expand outward to their full insulative configuration when the shade is extended, and to compress and conform to the support tube's shape when retracted. This dynamic behavior maintains both insulation efficiency and appearance consistency across different states.
Solution Approach 2:
The cells are designed with a curved, cylindrical configuration when retracted around the support tube, rather than a flat stacked appearance. This curvature allows the cells to maintain their three-dimensional structure and insulative properties even in the retracted position, improving appearance consistency while preserving insulation efficiency.
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 system maintains a consistent appearance and insulative properties during both retraction and extension, preventing cell distortion and damage, and allows for efficient storage and operation without exposing cells, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
the support tube, the vane material, and the cellular support member may then heated. As the components are heated, the cellular support member is re-shaped to conform generally to the shape of the support tube. After cooling, the vane material takes on the shape of the cellular support member where the two are engaged.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A covering an architectural opening including a support tube and a panel operably connected to the support tube and configured to be wound around the support tube. The panel includes a support sheet and at least one cell operably connected to the support sheet. The at least one cell includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a cell support member operably connected to the vane material and configured to support the vane material at a distance away from the support sheet when the panel is in an extended position with respect to the support tube.