3D Profiled Hearse Curtain Holder for Realistic Drape Appearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current curtain supports for hearses are either expensive due to time-consuming production methods or lack an optimal visual appearance, especially when used for transport trips where a view into the interior is not desired, as they either require extensive handling of materials or appear 'fake' under varying light conditions.

Innovation Solution

A curtain support with a three-dimensionally profiled carrier surface that mimics the drape of a textile curtain through light and shadow effects, using a surface layer such as textile, paint, or flocking, which can be applied economically and efficiently, and optionally featuring a foam material for low weight and weather resistance, allowing for easy profiling and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If individual metal sheets are assembled to form folds, then dimensional stability is achieved, but production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual metal sheets into a single integrated carrier plate with pre-formed three-dimensional profiling. Instead of assembling separate folded metal sheets to create the curtain support structure, the invention combines the entire folded structure into one monolithic component that is then attached to the window, thereby reducing assembly steps and production time while maintaining dimensional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier plate is pre-profiled with the desired three-dimensional fold structure before attachment to the window. This preliminary formation of the fold geometry allows the curtain to be mounted in a single operation rather than requiring time-consuming on-site assembly of individual folded sheets, thus improving productivity without compromising the stability of the fold structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If a flat roller blind is used, then production cost is reduced, but visual quality deteriorates under varying light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidvisual appearance quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat roller blind surface to a three-dimensional profiled carrier plate structure. The added dimension of physical folding creates genuine light and shadow effects that dynamically respond to varying illumination conditions, thereby improving visual appearance quality while maintaining cost-effectiveness through a single integrated component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the carrier plate by introducing three-dimensional profiling with varying depths, angles, and contours. This parameter modification enables the surface to interact with light in complex ways, creating realistic shadow patterns and visual depth that mimic traditional folded curtains, thus resolving the visual quality limitation of flat blinds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If a three-dimensionally profiled carrier is used, then visual quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appearance qualityVSAvoidcarrier structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier plate replicates the visual appearance of traditional folded curtains through three-dimensional profiling, copying the essential light and shadow characteristics without requiring actual fabric folds. This copying approach achieves the desired visual quality while using a rigid, manufacturable plate structure rather than complex assembled components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thin profiled plate structure that, while rigid in composition, mimics the flexible appearance of draped fabric through its three-dimensional form. The thin profiled surface creates the visual effect of soft folds and drapes while maintaining the structural advantages of a rigid carrier, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity compared to assembling multiple thick components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Illumination intensity

If textile material is stretched around the carrier, then optical effect is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical effectVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the carrier plate and curtain surface into a single integrated component. The three-dimensionally profiled carrier plate itself provides the optical effect through its light and shadow interactions, eliminating the need for a separate textile covering layer. This merging of functions reduces assembly time to a single attachment operation while maintaining the desired optical appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides a high-quality, cost-effective curtain support that maintains an attractive appearance without additional fold formation, reducing production costs and assembly time while offering flexibility in design and material choice, ensuring a visually appealing and durable solution.

Implementation Method 1

profiling the visible surface adapted to the drape shown and corresponding to the drape in such a way that even without a surface layer, due to the three-dimensional profiling alone, the typical look of the desired drape results due to the light and shadow effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight and shadow effect: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2997863B1Curtain holder of a burial vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 SCHMIDT UDO

AI summary

In a curtain carrier of a hearse, with a dimensionally stable surface element, referred to as a carrier, which has two opposite visible surfaces and a peripheral edge, and with a surface layer, referred to as a curtain, representing a drape, the carrier having a three-dimensionally shaped visible surface with a drapery as shown has adapted profiling, the invention proposes that the carrier is designed as a plate whose visible side corresponds to the folds in such a way that due to the three-dimensional profiling the typical look of the desired folds results due to the light and shadow effect.