Multi-Stage Spring Assembly for Architectural Coverings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coverings for architectural openings, such as windows and doors, lack an efficient mechanism for extending and retracting shades, particularly in terms of providing a consistent operating torque and storing potential energy for extended shades, especially across larger openings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage spring assembly is integrated within a roller system, comprising non-rotatable and rotatable members, torsion springs, and additional stages that increase the number of turns, allowing for consistent torque during extension and retraction, and storing energy for longer shades by winding the springs during retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single spring is used in the roller mechanism, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide consistent operating torque for extended shades across larger openings
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is divided into multiple stages, with each stage containing a spring that operates independently. This segmentation allows each spring to contribute to the overall torque output, ensuring consistent operating torque throughout the extended range of the shade while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the radial dimension of the roller is increased to accommodate longer shades, then more potential energy can be stored, but the transverse dimension increases which is not desirable for architectural installations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the radial dimension to store more potential energy, the invention extends the spring assembly axially by adding multiple stages. This dimensional shift allows the roller to maintain a compact radial profile suitable for architectural installations while accommodating longer shades through increased axial length of the spring assembly, thereby storing sufficient potential energy without increasing transverse dimensions.
3Reliability
If multiple spring stages are added to provide consistent torque, then the operating reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple spring stages are nested within the roller structure, with each stage contained within the previous one. This nesting arrangement allows multiple springs to be integrated into a compact configuration that maintains consistent operating torque while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity. The nested design enables efficient space utilization and simplifies the external appearance and mounting of the roller mechanism.
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
The multi-stage spring assembly enables efficient extension and retraction of shades across various architectural openings by providing a consistent operating torque and storing energy, allowing for longer shade lengths without increasing the radial or transverse dimensions of the assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The first spring and the second spring are torsion springs
Implementation Method 2
winding the springs during retraction
Data Source
AI summary
A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a multiple stage spring assembly. The spring assembly may include a non-rotatable first member, a first spring including a first end portion and a second end portion, and a second spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first spring may be coupled to the first member. The first end portion of the second spring may be coupled to the second end portion of the first spring to rotate with the second end portion of the first spring.