Retractable Screen Device Asymmetric Guide Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable and extendable screen devices for architectural openings require additional hardware for mounting, are cumbersome, and have operational smoothness issues due to differing frictional behaviors between top and bottom guide members, limiting their width coverage and increasing manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A retractable and extendable screen device featuring identical parallel posts with hollow interiors, where flexible guide members are deflected and slidably received within the posts, allowing for optimal storage and reduced part complexity, with pivotally interconnected chain links and tension cords for enhanced flexibility and stability, and a valance profile for gap blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If top and bottom caterpillar chains both disappear into the vertical operating profile, then the screen can cover wider door openings, but the vertical profile height must be shared between both chains, limiting the width coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The top flexible guide member is extracted from the vertical operating profile and replaced by a conventional guiding cord that runs externally along the top edge of the screen. This frees up vertical space within the profile for the bottom chain while maintaining guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical operating profile is designed to accommodate multiple functions: housing the bottom caterpillar chain, providing structural support, and guiding the screen movement. The profile serves as both a structural element and a storage compartment for the flexible guide member.
2Length of stationary object
If the vertical operating profile is kept as shallow as possible, then the device is more compact, but the storage space for caterpillar chains is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from storing both chains within the vertical dimension of the profile to storing the top guide member along the horizontal dimension externally, while the bottom chain remains in the vertical profile. This dimensional redistribution increases available storage space.
3Stability of the object's composition
If top and bottom flexible guide members are used with different frictional behaviors, then the screen can be retained at top and bottom edges, but the operational smoothness and reliability are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
Different guidance mechanisms are applied to different locations: the bottom edge uses a caterpillar chain within the profile for reliable retention, while the top edge uses a guiding cord for smoother operation. Each location's specific requirements are addressed with the most appropriate mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If top and bottom chains differ in cross sectional dimension to allow partial sliding, then operational characteristics are retained, but the number of different parts increases and manufacture is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The top and bottom guidance systems are deliberately made asymmetric: the bottom uses a substantial caterpillar chain for retention, while the top uses a simpler guiding cord. This asymmetric design simplifies manufacture by reducing the number of complex components while maintaining operational effectiveness.
5Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary frames are used to mount the screen device, then the device can be readily mounted within the frame, but additional hardware is required which is costly and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is merged with the vertical operating profile itself. The profile serves dual purposes as both the structural housing for the mechanism and the mounting element that attaches directly to the door frame, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical profile is designed as a multi-functional component that provides structural support, houses the bottom caterpillar chain, guides screen movement, and serves as the mounting interface to the door frame. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts required.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable and extendable covering device (1) for architectural openings, which includes first and second substantially parallel posts (3, 5), a retractable and extendable substantially rectangular screen member (7), and a first flexible guide member (9; 109). The first flexible guide member (9; 109) is deflected into one of the first and second posts (3, 5) and slidably receivable therein. Each of the parallel posts (3, 5) has a hollow interior (19, 23), and at least one of the first and second posts being movable toward and away with respect to the other. The retractable and extendable screen member (7) has first and second pairs of opposite parallel edges and is mounted between the first and second parallel posts (3, 5) at its first pair of parallel edges. The first flexible guide member (9; 109) extends along one edge of the second pair of parallel edges of the screen member (7) and between the first and second posts (3, 5) for retaining the one edge of the screen member (7). The first and second parallel posts (3, 5) each include a base profile part (69; 169) and an auxiliary profile part (71; 171) defining the hollow interior (19, 23) therebetween for slidably receiving the first flexible guide member (9). Optionally the auxiliary profile part (71; 171) is mountable to the base profile part (69; 169) in a selected one of two different positions in which it is connectable to the base profile.