Retractable Blind Assembly with Single-Cord Self-Leveling Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable blind assemblies with angled head rails face issues such as separation of middle and bottom rails during deployment, incomplete deployment, and the need for precise cord length adjustments, leading to potential damage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A retractable blind assembly with a single lift cord routed in a loop between the head, middle, and bottom rails, allowing staged deployment and self-leveling of the middle and bottom rails, reducing the risk of separation and simplifying installation by eliminating the need for precise cord length adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two cords are used to deploy the top shade, then the top shade can be deployed, but the lower rail may become separated from the middle rail before the middle rail reaches the horizontal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the deployment function of both the top shade and bottom shade into a single cord system. The single cord is routed through the middle rail and bottom rail, allowing both sections to be deployed simultaneously in a coordinated manner, eliminating the separation issue that occurs with independent cord systems
Solution Approach 2:
The single cord acts as an intermediary element that coordinates the movement between the middle rail and bottom rail. By routing the cord through both rails and using it to deploy both shades, the system ensures synchronized deployment without requiring separate control mechanisms for each rail
2Manufacturing precision
If two lift cords are used, then the middle rail can be positioned, but the lengths of the cords must be precisely adjusted relative to each other to ensure the middle and lower rails are level
Solution Approach 1:
The single cord system is designed to self-level the rails through its routing configuration. As the cord is pulled to deploy the shades, the geometry of the cord path through the middle and bottom rails automatically ensures they reach the correct horizontal position, eliminating the need for manual length adjustments during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deployment parameter from two independent cord lengths requiring precise adjustment to a single cord length that automatically determines the position of both rails. This parameter change simplifies the installation process while maintaining the required levelness through the inherent geometry of the single cord routing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention provides a retractable blind assembly including a covering material, a fixed inclined head rail and a middle rail that is pivotable with respect to the head rail. The head rail extends upwardly at an acute angle. The middle rail is pivotable between a top deployed position and a retracted position. The retractable blind assembly also includes a bottom rail. The bottom rail is movable vertically between a bottom deployed position and the top deployed position. The retractable blind assembly has a single lift cord configured to raise and lower the bottom rail to retract and extend the covering material. The single lift cord is routed in a single lift cord loop from the head rail, through the middle rail and the bottom rail, and back to the head rail.