Motorized carriage, screen-moving assembly comprising such a carriage, screening installation and method for operating such an installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized carriages for curtains are not easily adaptable to different rail or rod geometries, leading to complex and costly manufacturing and spare part management, as well as bulkiness and instability issues when navigating curved areas.
Innovation Solution
A motorized carriage with a friction wheel driven by an electric motor, featuring removable suspension members with pivoting rollers or skates that can be adjusted to fit various rail or rod geometries, and an annular element for solid rods, allowing precise calibration of friction force and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specific carriages are provided for each rail or rod geometry, then the carriage can be precisely adapted to the rail geometry, but manufacturing complexity and spare part management cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is designed with a universal suspension member that can be mounted in multiple orientations (rotated by 90 degrees) to accommodate different rail geometries. Instead of creating specialized carriages for each rail type, a single multi-functional carriage design is used that can adapt to various rail profiles through reconfiguration of the suspension member orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension member is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable during installation. By rotating the suspension member 90 degrees and using reversible immobilizing means, the carriage can adapt its configuration to match different rail geometries, transforming a static design into a dynamically adaptable one.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable rollers are mounted on fixed supports, then the carriage can be adapted to different rails, but the roller loading operation becomes lengthy and delicate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension member is segmented into separable components that can be independently manipulated. The roller and its support structure are divided as a removable unit that can be quickly attached or detached from the carriage body, eliminating the need for complex assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage design allows the installer to self-adjust the suspension member orientation and roller position without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures. The reversible immobilizing means enable the operator to easily lock and unlock the suspension member in the desired position.
3Ease of manufacture
If supports protrude on the front and back of the carriage, then the rollers can be mounted on the carriage, but the carriage bulk increases in the front-to-back direction
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension member is designed to nest within or attach to the carriage body without protruding significantly. By integrating the suspension member into the carriage structure and using compact mounting arrangements, the overall bulk of the carriage is minimized while maintaining roller mounting capability.
4Measurement precision
If the friction wheel contact force is statically adjustable, then the friction force can be calibrated, but the adaptation to different rail geometries becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension member orientation can be dynamically adjusted by rotating it 90 degrees to match different rail geometries. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same friction wheel and contact force calibration mechanism to work effectively across various rail profiles without requiring multiple specialized designs.
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
Enables easy adaptation to different rail or rod geometries, improves stability and compactness, and ensures smooth operation over curved surfaces, reducing the risk of blockages and operator errors.
Implementation Method 1
a friction wheel driven by an electric motor... The contact force between the friction wheel and a rolling surface on which it moves is adjustable
Implementation Method 2
at least one roller pivoting around an axis, or skate
Implementation Method 3
The contact force between the friction wheel and a rolling surface on which it moves
Data Source
AI summary
This motorized carriage for opening/closing a curtain is able to move along a rail thanks to a friction wheel driven by an electric motor and pivot mounted in a casing containing this electric motor. The casing is provided with at least two members for suspending it from the rail or from the rod, which include a support and/or a base element and at least one pivoting roller. The casing is equipped with at least one housing for partially accommodating and reversibly immobilizing each suspension member, so that the pivoting rollers or the shoes of the suspension members are mounted removably on the casing. The support is mounted, removably and via a rotational movement (F4), in the housing. Elements allow the support to be immobilized about its axis of rotation. The movement assembly (E) includes a casing and at least two sets of two suspension members.