Light Blocking Slatted Blind With Low Stretch Cord
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slatted blinds fail to achieve full light blocking due to gaps between slats, especially at the bottom and top, and slat non-planarity, leading to incomplete closure and energy inefficiencies from air drafts.
Innovation Solution
A slatted blind design utilizing a low stretch strand tilt cord with rungs and connectors that minimize slat slouching and enhance planarity, combined with reduced rung diameter and protrusions on slats to ensure complete closure and light blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tilt cords with higher stretch are used, then the blind is easier to manufacture and operate, but gaps appear between slats at the top and bottom leading to incomplete light blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt cord is divided into multiple segments including a first cord portion, second cord portion, and intermediate portion with rungs. This segmentation allows each segment to have different properties - the intermediate portion can be non-stretch for maintaining slat alignment while the end portions can have different characteristics for operation and attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tilt cord have different stretch characteristics. The intermediate portion between the slats is made non-stretch to prevent slat separation, while the end portions away from the slats can have different properties to facilitate operation and attachment to the headrail and bottom rail.
2Reliability
If slats are allowed to rotate freely to closed position, then the blind is easier to operate, but slat non-planarity causes incomplete closure and air drafts
Solution Approach 1:
The rungs are pre-positioned at specific angles relative to the cord portions to automatically guide the slats into proper alignment as they rotate. The intermediate portion is pre-configured with rungs that maintain slat planarity and ensure complete closure before the slats reach the fully closed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle of the rungs relative to the cord portions is specifically controlled to change the mechanical parameters of slat rotation. By optimizing the rung angle, the system ensures slats rotate smoothly into complete closure while maintaining planarity, preventing air drafts between slats.
3Reliability
If rung diameter is reduced to minimize gaps, then light blocking improves, but the structural strength of the tilt cord decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt cord system uses composite construction with different materials or structures for different portions. The intermediate portion with rungs is designed with materials or structures optimized for maintaining slat alignment and minimizing gaps, while the end portions use materials optimized for strength and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt cord is segmented into portions with different rung configurations. The intermediate portion has smaller diameter rungs for minimizing gaps between slats, while the end portions have different rung characteristics that provide sufficient structural strength for operation and attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A slatted blind is configured such that the slats close create a light blocking blind. The slats may be supported by a tilt cord that comprises a low stretch strand or a low stretch cord may be attached to the tilt cord. The slats may be connected to the supporting tilt cord such that when the slat is rotated to a closed position the slat is suspended from the rung. The rung may have an effective diameter of less than approximately 14 mil. Recesses may be formed in the slat for receiving the rung when the slat is in a closed position. A bottom rail may have a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the slats. A protrusion may be formed on the back of the slats such that the rung pushes on the protrusion to force the slat against an adjacent slat when the blind is closed.