Curtain Side Edge Reinforcement with Embedded Cables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curtain devices face challenges in balancing flexibility and rigidity in side edges to prevent tearing or jamming during opening and closing, especially under high-speed operation and frequent cycles, leading to potential damage and degradation of components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a series of incompressible cables parallel to the side edges, which are embedded in an elastic support, to provide a thrust force and maintain a neutral surface during bending, ensuring continuous curvature and reduced friction in guide paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the side edges are made rigid to prevent jamming in guide paths, then the reliability of operation is improved, but the flexibility and deformability required for smooth opening and closing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side edges are constructed as composite structures combining rigid elements (such as reinforcement beads or structural profiles) with flexible materials (such as elastic coatings or flexible sheaths). This composite construction allows the edges to maintain sufficient rigidity to resist jamming in guide paths while retaining the flexibility needed for smooth opening and closing operations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the side edges are assigned different mechanical properties: the core structure uses rigid materials for resistance to jamming, while the outer surface or specific sections use flexible materials for deformability during operation. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous achievement of rigidity for reliability and flexibility for adaptability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the side edges are made flexible to allow disengagement from guide paths, then the protection against damage is improved, but the risk of jamming and tearing during operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible outer layer protects the rigid core from direct contact with guide paths, preventing tearing and damage during disengagement. Simultaneously, the rigid core maintains structural integrity to prevent jamming during normal operation, thus protecting against harmful factors while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible material layer acts as a cushioning protective layer that absorbs impact and stress before it reaches the rigid core or the guide paths, preventing damage during disengagement while the rigid structure prevents jamming during operation.
3Reliability
If reinforcements are added to the side edges to increase rigidity, then the resistance to jamming is improved, but the weight and complexity of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding separate reinforcement elements, the solution uses composite materials where the rigid and flexible properties are integrated into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for additional separate reinforcement components, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the required rigidity for jamming resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid and flexible functional requirements are merged into a single integrated side edge structure rather than using separate components. The composite construction combines the jamming-resistant rigidity and the flexible protective layer in one unified element, reducing structural complexity and weight compared to separate reinforcement additions.
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 the durability and longevity of curtain devices by preventing detachment and damage, allowing for up to two million cycles without degradation, while maintaining flexibility and rigidity, and facilitating smooth high-speed operation.
Implementation Method 1
applying a thrust force to these side edges in their longitudinal direction to move the curtain from its open position to its closed position
Implementation Method 2
the neutral surface of said side edges formed during the bending of the cable being located in this cable
Implementation Method 3
the pressure exerted in the longitudinal direction of the latter, following the friction in the guide paths
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a device comprising a curtain (2) having flexible lateral edges (4) with a thick region (4'), this curtain (2) being provided with a cable or several juxtaposed cables (21) incompressible in the direction of their length and extending parallel to the lateral edges (4) of the curtain in such a way as to enable a pushing force to be applied to them in their longitudinal direction to move the curtain towards its closed position, the cable or cables (21) being situated in the neutral surface (24) of the edges (4) which is formed when the edges (4) flex, and the cable or cables (21) being fixed non-removably relative to the curtain (2); the thick region comprising a flexible band (8) of elastic material in which are incorporated the cable or cables (21) and two belts (9, 10) situated opposite each other on each of the faces of the curtain (2).