Deployable Screen Lifting Mechanism with Nested Pulley System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current deployable screens face issues with jammed or broken raising and lowering mechanisms due to infrequent use, requiring long-term planning and costly changes, and have safety and maintenance concerns with exposed counterweights, which also increase assembly and transport complexity.

Innovation Solution

A deployable screen design featuring a pulley-based lifting mechanism with a piston, guide bushing, and inner cover to conceal and protect the mechanism, along with safety locking elements and buffers to prevent unauthorized manipulation and ensure smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a counterweight system is used for raising and lowering the screen, then the lifting mechanism can be balanced, but the mechanism becomes exposed and requires maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting mechanism reliabilityVSAvoiddust and foreign body contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism is nested within the lower part of the screen structure. The counterweight system and pulley mechanism are housed inside the lower part, which acts as a protective enclosure. This nesting approach protects the mechanism from dust and foreign bodies while maintaining its functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lower part of the screen acts as an intermediary element that both supports the lifting mechanism and protects it from environmental contaminants. It serves as a fairing that isolates the mechanism from direct exposure to dust and sand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the lower part of the screen is made larger to accommodate the lifting mechanism, then the mechanism can be concealed and protected, but the dimensions and transport complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism protection from contaminationVSAvoidscreen lower part volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lower part of the screen is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as the base structure, houses the lifting mechanism, provides protection from contaminants, and serves as part of the screen assembly itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protective housings that would increase volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective enclosure for the lifting mechanism is merged with the lower part of the screen structure. Rather than adding a separate housing, the design integrates the mechanism housing into the existing lower part structure, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the raising and lowering mechanism is exposed and accessible from the exterior, then assembly and maintenance are easier, but safety issues arise due to entanglement risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism accessibilityVSAvoidsafety hazards from entanglement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism is nested within the lower part of the screen, which acts as a protective enclosure. This nesting approach protects the mechanism from dust and foreign bodies while maintaining its functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful aspect of exposure (safety hazards and contamination) is extracted by removing the mechanism from external accessibility while maintaining its operational functionality through the integrated design of the lower part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If screens are designed to be dismantled for reconfiguration, then office layout changes are possible, but the process becomes costly and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffice layout reconfigurabilityVSAvoiddismantling and reassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is divided into modular components (upper part, lower part, intermediate part) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The lifting mechanism is integrated into the lower part as a self-contained module, allowing the screen to be segmented for easy reconfiguration without complex operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The screen design allows dynamic reconfiguration through simple assembly and disassembly operations. The integrated lifting mechanism enables the upper part to be easily raised and lowered, facilitating quick adjustments and reconfigurations without requiring complex dismantling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides improved lifting performance, reduces maintenance needs, enhances safety, and simplifies assembly and transport by concealing the lifting mechanism and incorporating safety features, allowing for easier reconfiguration without jamming or exposure issues.

Implementation Method 1

a piston (12) containing a plunger (13) and a body (14), wherein the plunger (13) is attached to the first base (20), the movement of the body (14) of the piston is guided by the guide bushing (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a pulley (9) located in a bracket (10) attached to one end of the body (14) of the piston, a pulley cable (15) attached at one end to the guide bushing (11) and at the other end to the second base (21) and passing through the pulley (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley mechanical advantage: Pulley

Data Source

PatentEP3056641B1Deployable screen
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 ARCOIZA LOPEZ ROBERTO
  • EP3056641B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3056641B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3056641B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drop-down screen (1) comprising a fixed screen (2) having a first frame, (4) with at least one recess (5) in each side piece and a sliding screen (3) with a second frame, (6) with at least one flange (7) in each side piece, where the sliding screen (3) is guided in its movement by the flanges (7) in the recesses (5), and containing a lifting mechanism (8) containing a guide bushing (11) attached to the first frame, (4), a piston (12) with a plunger (13) and a body (14) with a bracket (10) attached in one end, a pulley (9) in the bracket (10) and a pulley cable (15). The plunger is attached to the first frame, (4), the body (14) runs along the guide bushing (11), and the pulley cable (15) is attached to the guide bushing (11), to the second frame (6) and passes through the pulley (9).