Motorized Curtain Carriage With Split Suspension for Curved Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized carriages for opening and closing curtains face challenges in maintaining a constant contact force between the friction wheel and the rail, especially when the curtain weight varies, leading to tilting torques and potential sticking issues in curved rail sections.
Innovation Solution
A motorized carriage design featuring a casing with suspension members that only take the constant weight of the casing and its contents, while a cradle with independent suspension members takes the variable curtain weight, allowing for relative movement between the housing and cradle, ensuring a constant contact force and enabling operation on curved rails with a small radius of curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the curtain weight is suspended cantilevered relative to the housing, then the curtain can be effectively supported, but a tilting torque is created on the housing that requires fine adjustment of the contact force between the friction wheel and the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the carriage into two independent parts: a housing containing the motor and friction wheel, and a cradle supporting the curtain. Each part has its own suspension members, which separates the weight support functions and eliminates the tilting torque problem that would otherwise require fine adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the curtain support function from the housing by introducing a separate cradle with its own suspension members. This removes the source of tilting torque from the housing, eliminating the need for fine adjustment of the friction wheel contact force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the carriage is designed to accommodate curved rails with small radius of curvature, then the system becomes more adaptable, but the carriage may get stuck in bends
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic capability by allowing relative movement between the housing and cradle through articulated suspension members. This dynamic adjustment enables the carriage to adapt to curved rail geometries while maintaining reliable operation without getting stuck.
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
This design maintains a substantially constant contact force between the friction wheel and the rail, reduces tilting torques, and allows the carriage to navigate curved paths effectively, improving the reliability and efficiency of the curtain operation.
Implementation Method 1
a friction wheel driven by an electric motor and intended to be in contact with at least one running surface of the rail
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor-driven carriage (100) for opening/closing a curtain, including a housing (110) that is provided with two members (124, 126) for suspending the housing from a rail (50), wherein a friction wheel (112), which is driven by an electric motor and which is to contact at least one rolling surface (56, 57) of the rail, is rotatably mounted inside said housing. Said carriage (100) also includes a cradle (150) provided with two other members (155, 156) for suspending the cradle from the rail (50), which are separate from the members (124, 126) for suspending the housing (110), as well as means (153, 154) for coupling to the curtain. The cradle is mounted onto the housing (110) and is driven by the housing when the latter moves along the rail, the housing (110) and the cradle (150) optionally being capable of relative movement therebetween.