Fabric Screen Carrier System With Pre-Installed Wires

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for mounting fabric screens in structures like greenhouses require cumbersome and separate tasks at great heights, especially after the greenhouse is constructed and equipped, as they necessitate attaching the fabric screen to multiple carriers, which is inefficient and prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A system with carriers spaced at least 20 cm apart, featuring insertion openings, allows for the pre-installation of wires or cords during construction, enabling easy threading of the fabric screen into place without the need for separate mounting at height, minimizing friction and allowing for movable screens that can be easily exchanged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fabric screens are mounted using traditional carrier systems at great heights, then the fabric can be secured in position, but the mounting process becomes cumbersome and requires separate tasks at height after greenhouse construction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting processVSAvoidsubsequent mounting tasks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing carriers during the initial construction phase of the greenhouse, before the fabric screen is needed. This allows the mounting infrastructure to be prepared in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent mounting tasks at great heights. The carriers are positioned and secured to the greenhouse structure during construction when access is easier and safer, rather than requiring separate mounting operations after the greenhouse is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If fabric screens are mounted separately to each carrier section at great heights, then the fabric can be secured, but the process is prone to fabric damage and requires complex operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric damage riskVSAvoidmounting operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-installs carriers with insertion openings during construction, preparing the mounting infrastructure before the fabric arrives. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex field mounting operations at height, as the carriers are already positioned and ready to receive the fabric's thickening portion through simple insertion, significantly reducing fabric damage risk and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the mounting system into discrete carriers spaced at regular intervals along the greenhouse structure. Each carrier is an independent unit with its own insertion opening, allowing the fabric to be divided into manageable sections that can be inserted individually. This segmentation simplifies the overall mounting process by breaking down a complex full-length installation into multiple simple, repeatable insertion operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If carriers are spaced closely together to support the fabric, then the fabric is well-supported, but friction increases and movement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric supportVSAvoidfabric movement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing support at discrete carrier points rather than continuous support along the entire fabric length. The carriers are spaced at regular intervals (e.g., every 1-2 meters) rather than being continuously distributed, which provides sufficient structural support to prevent fabric sagging while leaving large gaps between support points. This partial support system minimizes the fabric's contact area with carriers, thereby reducing friction and enabling easier movement when the fabric needs to be adjusted or removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2330885B1Fabric-screen carrier system
Publication Date: 2012.04.04 BLOKS DRAADVORM FAB
  • EP2330885B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2330885B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2330885B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

System comprising a fabric screen (3) and a large number of carriers (4) that are attached to carrier sections (2) mounted on both sides of the fabric screen. The carriers are embodied to clamp to the carrier sections and are provided with a receiving means (8) for receiving a ridge (9) formed on both sides of the fabric screen. Moreover, there is an insertion opening (7) present for inserting a wire or cord preceding the fabric screen on the one hand, and on the other hand for receiving the portion of the fabric directly bordering on the ridge of said fabric screen. Said carriers are mounted regularly at a distance of at least 20 cm.