Modular Torsion Spring Biasing for Security Shade Roller Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing torsion spring mechanisms for retracting security shades in motor vehicles require custom designs and different spring coefficients for each vehicle, leading to increased engineering costs and inventory complexity, as they cannot uniformly provide adjustable rotational force and angular movement.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a plurality of torsion spring force units that can be connected in parallel or series to adjust the total angular biasing force and rotation, allowing for standardization of spring designs and housings, with the number of units varying to change the force or rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single torsion spring is used at each end to exert retraction biasing force, then the device can provide rotational biasing force, but different spring designs and housings are required for each vehicle installation, increasing engineering costs and inventory complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple standardized force units, each containing a torsion spring. These modular units can be combined in different quantities to achieve different total biasing forces, eliminating the need for custom spring designs for each vehicle. The segmentation allows standardization of individual units while providing flexibility through variable combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The total biasing force is adjusted by changing the number of force units rather than changing the design parameters of individual springs. Each force unit has a standardized spring with fixed parameters, and the overall force is varied by using 1, 2, or more units, thereby avoiding the need for multiple spring designs.
2Force
If custom torsion spring designs are used for each vehicle, then the biasing force can be precisely tailored, but the engineering costs and device inventory requirements increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing force requirement is segmented into multiple standardized force units. Instead of manufacturing custom springs with different force characteristics, the system uses identical standardized springs that can be combined in different quantities, dramatically simplifying manufacturing and inventory management.
Solution Approach 2:
A single standardized force unit design serves multiple vehicle installations with different force requirements. The same force unit can be used in any application by simply varying the number of units employed, making the system universal and eliminating the need for vehicle-specific spring designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the magnitude of angular rotation is fixed by torsion spring construction, then the spring design is simplified, but the device cannot be adapted to different rotation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The total angular rotation is segmented into contributions from multiple identical force units. Each unit provides a standardized rotation amount, and the total rotation is achieved by combining units in series or parallel configurations, allowing adaptation to different rotation requirements without redesigning individual springs.
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
This solution enables adjustable biasing force and rotation without the need for custom spring designs, reducing costs and inventory complexity, and allows for easy adjustment by adding or subtracting force units, thereby standardizing the device across different vehicle installations.
Implementation Method 1
the device at each end of the shade often include a torsion spring for biasing the roller tube in the rotational direction for storing the shade
Data Source
AI summary
A device for creating an angular biasing force for the roller tube of a security shade, which roller tube is mounted to a fixed structure of a vehicle. The device comprises an element attached to the fixed structure of the vehicle and a plurality of force units, each including a torsion spring exerting a biasing force between the structure and the roller tube, wherein the torsion springs each have a first inner end associated with the fixed structure and a second outer end associated with the roller tube so the torsion biasing force of each spring is in a direction from the fixed structure to the roller tube. The total angular force of the device is the sum of the biasing forces of all of the torsion spring force units when the units are connected in parallel. When connected in series, the magnitude of angular rotation is the sum of the angle of rotation of all units.