Curtain Locking Shoe Dirt Resistance via Pin Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking devices for curtain final rods, such as insect protection fabrics, are prone to failure due to dirt accumulation in the guide slots, leading to unreliable locking and releasing mechanisms, especially under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

The locking pin is integrated into the locking shoe within the guide groove, with the locking receptacle and guide link slopes designed to dislodge adhering dirt during operation, and the longitudinal slide features inlet and outlet slopes to maintain cleanliness. Additionally, the locking shoe is composed of two halves for easy assembly and disassembly, and a fastening screw secures the shoe in the guide profile, ensuring secure locking and releasing functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking pin is formed on the longitudinal slide as in prior art, then the locking device can be assembled, but dirt accumulates in the guide slot leading to unreliable locking operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddirt accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin is inverted from being on the moving longitudinal slide to being on the stationary locking shoe. This inversion causes the pin to protrude freely into the interior space of the locking shoe, preventing dirt accumulation in guide slots and ensuring reliable locking operation even under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking pin is extracted from the longitudinal slide and transferred to the locking shoe. This separation removes the pin from the moving component that interacts with the guide slot, eliminating the problem of dirt accumulation while maintaining the locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If the locking shoe is made as a single piece, then assembly is simple, but the rigidity is insufficient for secure locking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking shoe rigidityVSAvoidlocking shoe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking shoe is divided into two separate shoe halves that are assembled together in the guide profile. This segmentation allows each half to be individually positioned and secured, significantly increasing the overall rigidity of the mounted locking shoe while maintaining assembly simplicity through the open guide groove.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the locking shoe is made as a single piece, then the structure is simple, but assembly and disassembly are difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidlocking shoe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking shoe is segmented into two shoe halves that can be assembled and disassembled separately through the open guide groove. This segmentation enables easy maintenance and installation without requiring complete disassembly of the guide profile, significantly improving ease of manufacture and serviceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the locking pin is on the longitudinal slide, then the locking mechanism can operate, but the guide link accumulates dirt over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking operationVSAvoidguide link service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin is extracted from the longitudinal slide and placed on the stationary locking shoe. This extraction removes the source of dirt accumulation from the guide link, allowing the guide link to remain free of dirt particles even after long periods of operation and extending its service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2857632B1Locking device for a curtain closing rod
Publication Date: 2016.03.09 ALUKON
  • EP2857632B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2857632B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2857632B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking device for a closing rod (4) of a curtain (6), e.g., an insect screen fabric, wound onto a winding roll (7). The closing rod (4) is guided at its ends (14) in a guide profile (13) and has a longitudinal slider (2) that interacts with a locking shoe (3). During a downward movement of the closing rod (4), a locking pin (24) engages in a guide track (21) and is threaded into the locking receptacle (30), thereby holding the closing rod (4) at the level of the locking shoe (3). Upon another downward movement of the closing rod (4), the locking pin (24) runs out of the guide track (21) and releases the closing rod (4). According to the invention, the locking pin (24) is formed on the locking shoe (3).The locking receptacle (30), the inlet ramp (33) aligning the locking receptacle (30) to the locking pin (24), and the outlet ramp (35) of the guide cam (21) are provided on the longitudinal slide (2).