Pleated Screen Assembly for Fenestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fenestration assemblies with moveable glass panels and integrated screens face issues such as aesthetic unpleasing pleated screens, difficulty in management and installation, and obstruction of views due to accumulated detritus on screens.
Innovation Solution
A screen assembly with a pleated screen that is extendable and retractable, featuring a housing system with end caps and a catch element for easy engagement with the window sash, along with a pleat restrictor and moisture deflector to minimize obstruction and improve aesthetics and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pleated screen is installed in a fenestration assembly, then insect protection is provided, but the view through the glass panel is obscured and the screen becomes aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between an extended state (providing insect protection) and a retracted state (providing clear view). The screen can be automatically extended when the sash is opened and retracted when closed, allowing the system to adapt its state based on operational needs rather than remaining in a fixed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen assembly is divided into discrete components including a screen element, housing member, catch element, and pleat restrictor that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the screen to be controlled separately from the sash mechanism, enabling precise control over when the screen is extended or retracted based on specific operational requirements.
2Reliability
If a pleated screen is continuously exposed to the elements, then insect protection is maintained, but airborne detritus accumulates on the screen further obscuring the view
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly dynamically transitions between extended and retracted states based on sash position. When the sash is closed, the screen is automatically retracted into the housing member, removing it from exposure to airborne detritus while maintaining insect protection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen element is extracted from continuous exposure to the external environment by housing it within the housing member when not in use. This extraction protects the screen from detritus accumulation while maintaining its functional capability when the sash is opened and the screen is extended.
3Reliability
If a pleated screen is installed, then insect protection is provided, but the screen is difficult to manage during use and install in new or existing fenestration units
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly is designed to be self-regulating through automatic extension and retraction based on sash position. The catch element automatically engages with the sash to extend the screen when needed and releases it when the sash closes, eliminating the need for manual operation or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the housing member provides structural support and protection, the catch element provides automatic engagement, the pleat restrictor maintains screen configuration, and the screen element provides insect protection. This merging simplifies both installation and operation compared to separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A screen assembly used with a fenestration unit, the screen assembly capable of being installed at manufacture or retroactively to fenestration units. The screen assembly is installable on a fenestration unit having a frame and a window sash. The screen assembly includes a housing having a first housing member and a second housing member, wherein the housing forms a screen retention space between the first and second housing members when the screen assembly is in a closed position. It further includes a pleated screen positioned between the first and second housing members when the screen assembly is in the closed position, wherein the pleated screen includes a first end coupled to the first housing member and a second end coupled to the second housing member. The screen assembly also includes a catch element configured to releasably engage with the window sash.