Parallel Guidance Cord System with Self-Aligning Retainers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing parallel guidance cord systems for screening arrangements are cumbersome and labor-intensive to assemble and mount, requiring significant resources due to the need for guiding, threading, and fastening cords through various parts of the screening arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A parallel guidance cord system with each cord having a first cord end retainer featuring a hook portion for engagement with a spring of a cartridge, and an introduction portion protruding beyond the hook, facilitating assembly by functioning as a needle and providing a grip portion with flanges for enhanced retention, along with a second cord end retainer adapted to engage with a bracket for secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cords are threaded through and fastened to different parts of the screening arrangement during assembly, then the screening arrangement can be mounted, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The cord system is segmented into multiple independent cords, each with its own retainer at one end. This segmentation allows each cord to be independently assembled and connected to specific cartridges, simplifying the overall assembly process by breaking down the complex task of threading and fastening into smaller, more manageable operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainers are pre-formed integrally with the cords through moulding, creating ready-to-connect components before assembly begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate fastening operations during assembly, as the retainers are already prepared to engage with the cartridges and brackets.
2Reliability
If cords are connected to cartridges and frame corners during mounting, then parallel guidance is achieved, but the mounting process requires considerable resources
Solution Approach 1:
The retainers are designed to self-align and self-engage with the cartridges and brackets during mounting. The integral formation of retainers with cords provides built-in guidance features that automatically position the cords correctly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and reducing mounting complexity while ensuring reliable parallel guidance.
3Ease of manufacture
If retainers are formed integrally with cords by moulding, then fastening is simplified, but the cord-retainer connection must withstand assembly and use forces
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer and cord are merged into a single integral component through moulding, creating a unified structure that eliminates separate fastening operations. This combining of parts simplifies the fastening process while the integral construction ensures that the cord-retainer connection strength is inherent in the molded structure itself, capable of withstanding assembly and use forces.
4Ease of operation
If the introduction portion protrudes beyond the hook portion, then cord threading is facilitated, but the retainer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer structure serves multiple functions: the hook portion engages with the spring of the cartridge, the introduction portion protrudes to facilitate cord threading, and the integral moulding provides structural strength. By designing the retainer to perform these multiple functions as a single component, the apparent structural complexity is justified by the simplification of the threading operation and the elimination of separate fastening elements.
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 system significantly simplifies the assembly and mounting of screening arrangements by allowing easy cord connection to cartridges and other parts, reducing the force required to maintain cord retention and ensuring parallel guidance during operation.
Implementation Method 1
The first cord end retainer comprises a hook portion for engagement with the first end of a spring of each cartridge
Data Source
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AI summary
The parallel guidance cord system of a screening arrangement comprises a set of cords (91, 92). A set of cartridges (900) is provided and each cartridge (900) comprises means for engagement with one end of a respective cord (91, 92) by means of a first cord end retainer (96). The set of cartridges (900) is adapted for accommodation inside the top element of the screening arrangement.