Integrated Roller Shaft and End Piece for Screening Arrangements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screening arrangements for apertures are time-consuming and costly to assemble due to the complexity of connections between the roller shaft and end pieces, and may be weakened by torsion forces, leading to potential destruction.

Innovation Solution

Integration of the roller shaft and end pieces as a one-piece moulded unit, reducing the number of parts and eliminating complex connections, while providing a strong transition and allowing for a slimmer roller bar and wider screening body, with optional coupling means and resilient engagement for easy assembly and retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional separate roller shaft and end piece construction is used, then assembly complexity increases and connection strength decreases, but manufacturing flexibility is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The roller shaft and end piece are merged into a single integrated component manufactured as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate connections between these parts, thereby reducing assembly complexity while simultaneously eliminating potential weak points in the connection, thus improving overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If roller shaft and end piece are integrated as one-piece unit, then number of parts decreases and assembly is simplified, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The roller shaft and end piece are combined into a single molded unit, reducing the total number of parts that need to be assembled. Although this increases manufacturing complexity for the individual component, it eliminates multiple assembly steps and connections, thereby improving overall assembly productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If roller shaft is made slimmer through integration, then spatial requirements are reduced and screening body can be wider, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial requirementsVSAvoidroller shaft strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the roller shaft with the end piece allows the roller shaft to be made slimmer since the end piece provides additional structural support. The one-piece construction ensures that the reduced-diameter roller shaft maintains sufficient strength while reducing the overall spatial requirements of the top element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional connection methods are used between roller shaft and restraint element, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but connection reliability decreases under torsion forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The roller shaft is integrated with the end piece as a single molded unit, eliminating separate connections that could fail under torsion forces. This integration maintains assembly flexibility through the molded design while significantly improving connection reliability by removing potential failure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Simplifies assembly, enhances structural strength, reduces material consumption, and provides a more aesthetically pleasing design with reduced spatial requirements, while maintaining effective operation as a blackout blind.

Implementation Method 1

The spring-bias is provided by a torsion spring secured at one end to the roller shaft and at the opposite end to the inner wall of the tubular roller bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2153007B1A screening arrangement having an end piece with an integrated roller shaft
Publication Date: 2010.09.08 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP2153007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2153007B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2153007B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

In a screening arrangement comprising a top element, a bottom element, and a screening body, the top element includes two end pieces (410) and a spring-biased roller bar mounted on a roller shaft (461). The roller shaft (461) and one of the end pieces (410) constitute an integral one-piece unit formed by moulding.