Movable Rail Cord Management via Indexing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window covering systems face challenges such as difficult cord access, cord tangling, and high operational force requirements, especially in top-down or bottom-up configurations, where cords are hard to hide and require complex manipulation.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a mechanism where a user actuates a handle on a movable rail to extend or retract the covering, with an indexing mechanism that automatically winds or unwinds lift cords without a motor, and includes a lock mechanism that automatically locks the rail in place, allowing for easy operation and cord management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cords are made accessible for operation, then ease of operation is improved, but cord visibility and tangling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord accessibilityVSAvoidcord tangling and visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cord drive mechanism is extracted from the traditional cord-based system and integrated into a self-contained unit with an indexing mechanism that automatically manages cord winding and unwinding, eliminating the need for loose cords to be accessible throughout the window opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing mechanism automatically winds and unwinds the cord as the covering moves, eliminating the need for manual cord manipulation by the user and preventing cord tangling while maintaining operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple movable rails are used for top-down/bottom-up configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cord management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetop-down/bottom-up capabilityVSAvoidnumber of cords and mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cord drive mechanisms are merged into a single integrated indexing mechanism that coordinates the movement of multiple movable rails, reducing the overall complexity of cord management while maintaining top-down/bottom-up adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing mechanism is designed as a universal system that can accommodate different covering types and configurations (top-down, bottom-up, or both), eliminating the need for separate cord management systems for each configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of moving object

If cord drive mechanisms are positioned high for full retraction, then full retraction capability is improved, but cord accessibility and safety decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretraction capabilityVSAvoidcord accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the high-positioned cord drive and the user, automatically managing cord winding and unwinding so that the user does not need to directly access or manipulate cords positioned high in the window opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11180952B2Control for movable rail

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 HUNTER DOUGLAS INC

AI summary

A covering for an architecture opening has a horizontal movable rail supported by cords, with a variety of configurations which allow the movable rail to be moved up and down while concealing the cords.