Curved Roller Blind Assembly With Flexible Rack Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for providing blinds or shades for curved windows involve multiple segments of straight roller blinds, which are aesthetically unpleasing, costly, and prone to high maintenance and failure, especially in lengthy curved or mixed straight and curved window configurations.
Innovation Solution
A roller blind assembly with a housing, guide, and flexible toothed gear rack system that allows lateral displacement, using a motor-driven toothed worm wheel to extend or retract the blind along a curved window segment, ensuring seamless coverage and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple segments of straight roller blinds are used for curved windows, then the window can be covered, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple straight roller blind segments into a single continuous curved blind system. The blind material flows continuously along the curved window profile without interruption, eliminating the need for multiple separate roller blind units while maintaining complete window coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature to the blind system by forming the blind material into a continuous curve that matches the window profile. The blind is supported along its curved length by a guide structure, allowing it to conform to the curved window geometry while functioning as a single integrated unit.
2Reliability
If multiple individual roller blinds are used for curved windows, then coverage is achieved, but capital costs and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple potential failure points into a single continuous blind system. By merging the functionality of multiple individual roller blinds into one integrated unit, the system reduces the total number of mechanical components that could fail, thereby improving overall reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single curved roller blind system is used, then aesthetic appearance and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a curved guide structure that follows the window profile to support the continuous blind. This guide structure, while adding some complexity, enables the blind to conform to curved surfaces and provides a manageable way to install and operate the system.
4Device complexity
If straight roller blinds are used for curved windows, then the solution is simple, but the aesthetic appearance and fit deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the blind from a straight configuration to a curved profile that matches the window geometry. The blind material is formed into a continuous curve and supported by a curved guide structure, enabling it to conform to the window shape while maintaining structural integrity.
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
Provides an aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective, and reliable solution for covering curved windows with a single mechanized blind system, reducing maintenance and potential failure points.
Implementation Method 1
a toothed worm wheel configured to engage the teeth formed on the upper portion of the toothed gear rack to urge lateral displacement of the toothed gear rack relative to the longitudinal passageway and the guide
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a roller blind assembly configured for deployment along a curved window segment. The roller blind assembly including a housing having a hollow body formed with a longitudinal passageway. A guide with a profile being conformable to the curved window segment. The guide having a guide channel and being alignable with the longitudinal passageway. The roller blind assembly including a flexible toothed gear rack to be received within the longitudinal passageway and guide. A drive assembly mountable within the hollow body of the housing; the drive assembly including a motor, a worm operatively connected to the motor and a toothed worm wheel configured to engage the teeth formed on the upper portion of the toothed gear rack to urge lateral displacement of the toothed gear rack relative to the longitudinal passageway and the guide, and a blind attachable to a lower portion of the toothed gear rack.