Double Roller Shade Assembly with Movable Driven Roller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller shade systems with two rollers of different densities face issues with excessive friction and difficulty in customization, as well as the inability to completely release the window opening from the fabric, due to fixed rollers and complex mechanisms that absorb energy and are not adjustable after fabrication.

Innovation Solution

A roller shade assembly featuring a fixed driver roller and a movable driven roller with adjustable return means, including a spring or motor-powered system, allowing the shade to be wrapped or unwrapped on either roller, with a mechanism that enables the second roller to be withdrawn from the first, allowing the window to be freed, and adjustable limit settings for different light shielding needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If both rollers are fixed to the window, then the structure is stable, but the window opening cannot be released from the fabric

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidability to release window opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The second roller is made movable relative to the first roller, allowing it to be withdrawn during installation or removal. This dynamic configuration enables the window opening to be released from the fabric while maintaining structural stability during operation through the return means that keeps the rollers in their working positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex mechanisms are used to adjust the limit shade, then the light shielding capability is improved, but excessive friction and energy absorption occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight shielding customizationVSAvoidenergy absorption by mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The limit of the shade is adjusted by modifying the torque parameter of the return means (spring or motor-powered system) rather than using complex mechanical mechanisms. This parameter-based adjustment reduces friction and energy absorption while maintaining light shielding customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If fixed rollers and complex mechanisms are used, then the shade functionality is improved, but the system cannot be adjusted after fabrication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshade functionalityVSAvoidadjustability after fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The return means (spring or motor-powered system) is designed with adjustable parameters that can be modified after fabrication and installation. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to be customized for different users' needs while maintaining reliable shade functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the second roller is held fixed during non-use, then the fabric position is stable, but the window cannot be freed from the fabric

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric position stabilityVSAvoidability to free window
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The second roller is designed to be movable relative to the first roller, allowing it to be withdrawn during installation or removal to free the window opening from the fabric. During normal use, the return means maintains the rollers in their working positions to ensure fabric position stability.

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 system provides efficient light shielding customization, reduces friction, and allows complete release of the window opening by adjusting the torque and mass distribution, enabling easy operation and adjustment of the shade's position.

Implementation Method 1

return means acting on said second roller for exercising a return torque (M 3 +) on said shade in order to wrap it on said second roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring torque: Spring

Implementation Method 2

driving means acting on said first roller for exercising a wrapping/unwrapping torque on said shade

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 3

the mass of said second roller and said return means are configured so that, when said assembly is not in said use position, said weight force acting on said second roller is higher or equal than the resulting forces of said return torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3464777B1Double roller shade assembly
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 FALCINELLI ERNESTO
  • EP3464777B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3464777B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3464777B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an assembly (1) of a roller shade (4) for shielding an area (12), said area (12) comprising at least an edge (13), said assembly (1) comprising a fixed first driver roller (2) and a second driven roller (3) movable with respect to said first roller (2), and a shade (4) having two ends, each end of said shade (4) being respectively coupled to a respective roller (2, 3), said shade (4) being able to slide between said first roller (2) and said second roller (3) in order to be able to nearly be totally wrapped on one or both said rollers (2, 3), said assembly (1) further comprising driving means (9) acting on said first roller (2) for exercising a wrapping/unwrapping torque (M2-, M2+) on said shade (4) in order to wrap/unwrap said shade (4) on said first roller (2), and return means (11) acting on said second roller (3) for exercising a return torque (M3+) on said shade (4) in order to wrap it on said second roller (3), wherein said assembly (1) is configured so that, during use when said first roller (2) is coupled in a fixed way to an edge (13) of said area (12), and a withdrawing force (Fp; Fs; Fr) acts on said second roller (3) in order to withdraw said second roller (3) from said first roller (2), said assembly (1) is able to pass between a position of non use, wherein said shade (4) is wrapped nearly completely on said first roller (2) and said second roller (3) is arranged in proximity of said first roller (2) in order to leave said area (12) free, and a use position, wherein said shade (4) shields said area (12), and wherein said withdrawing force (Fp; Fs; Fr) and said return means (11) are configured so that: when said assembly (1) is not in said use position, the withdrawing force (Fp; Fs; Fr) acting on said second roller (3) is higher or equal than the resulting forces from said return torque (M3+) so as to prevent the sliding of said shade (4) on said second roller (3); and when said assembly (1) is in said use position, said withdrawing force (Fp; Fs; Fr) is lower than the resulting forces of said return torque (M3+), so as to allow the sliding of said shade (4) on said second roller (3) on the action of said driving means (9).