Flexible Cellular Vane Window Coverings for Light and View Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable coverings for architectural features, such as windows, lack flexibility and efficiency in controlling light transmission and view-through, with limited options for varying light diffusion and blockage.
Innovation Solution
A retractable, flexible roll-up covering system featuring a roller, head rail, flexible light-controlling subassembly with multi-layered vanes and elongate tapes, and a movement mechanism that allows the vanes to form a tube or cell structure, enabling various configurations for light control from fully rolled to fully unrolled positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional retractable coverings are used, then the structure is simple, but the flexibility and efficiency in controlling light transmission and view-through are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The covering is divided into multiple independently controllable vanes that can be selectively positioned. Each vane can be individually adjusted to different angles and positions, allowing precise control over light transmission and view-through for different portions of the window, thereby increasing adaptability without requiring complete system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering system incorporates movable and adjustable components including vanes that can pivot, extend, and retract. The vanes can dynamically change their orientation and position in response to user input or environmental conditions, enabling flexible light control. The ability to transition between fully retracted, partially extended, and fully extended positions provides dynamic adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-layered vanes with tube formation capability are used, then light diffusion and blockage control are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vane structure incorporates nested layers where inner and outer vane layers can be positioned at different depths and angles. The ability to form tube structures by nesting layers creates additional light control dimensions - light can be diffused through multiple layers or blocked by aligned edges, providing enhanced control over light transmission and view-through without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layered vane design adds a depth dimension to light control. By stacking vanes and enabling them to form three-dimensional tube structures, the system controls light not only through two-dimensional positioning but also through layer alignment and spacing. This dimensional addition allows for sophisticated light diffusion and blockage control.
3Ease of operation
If the covering can be positioned from fully rolled to fully unrolled, then user flexibility is enhanced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller mechanism serves multiple functions: it stores the covering when retracted, controls the extension and retraction movement, and provides a compact housing structure. The same basic rolling action enables both full retraction and full extension positions, as well as any intermediate position, making the mechanism universally applicable to the entire range of motion without requiring separate mechanisms for each position.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming a flexible panel for a window covering includes manipulating a plurality of sheets of material so that each sheet of material bends back on itself and two end portions of each sheet of material are adjacent each other, each sheet of material having a first light transmissivity; ultrasonic welding the two end portions of each of the plurality of sheets of material so that each of the plurality of ultrasonically welded sheets of material forms an independent cellular vane having at least two layers; adhesively bonding an outer surface of a first layer of the at least two layers of each independent cellular vane to a first vertical member; and adhesively bonding an outer surface of a second layer of the at least two layers of each independent cellular vane to a second vertical member.