Roller Blind Cable-Covering Assembly for Safer Low-Friction Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Roller blind actuation assemblies pose safety hazards due to flexible elements like cords that can strangle children, and they often involve complex mechanisms with friction forces.
Innovation Solution
A roller blind actuation assembly with two or more roller blind actuation cables, each with a spool assembly and unidirectional angular couplers, allowing for safe and efficient winding or unwinding of the blind, with a biasing member coupling the spool assemblies and a flexible element receiving cavity to minimize exposure and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible element (cord or cable) is used to actuate the roller blind, then the blind can be easily wound or unwound, but children might get strangled with the flexible element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flexible element from the actuation mechanism by using a rigid rod instead. The rod is inserted into the roller blind tube and rotated directly, eliminating the need for cords or cables that could pose strangulation hazards while maintaining the ease of operation through simple rotational motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rod as an intermediary element between the user and the roller blind tube. This rod serves as a safe mediator that transfers the user's rotational input to the blind mechanism without using dangerous flexible elements, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety
2Ease of operation
If a spool member is used to wrap or unwrap the flexible element, then the blind can be actuated, but the spool member is contained in a spool housing assembly that is hardly reachable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spool housing assembly entirely from the design by using a rod that inserts directly into the roller blind tube. This eliminates the need for a separate spool housing that would be difficult to reach, while the rod itself can be easily accessed and operated from the front of the blind
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the flexible element wrap around a spool member contained in a housing, the patent inverts the approach by using a rigid rod that inserts into the tube and rotates within it. This reverses the traditional spool-based mechanism into a direct insertion-rotation system that is much more accessible
3Ease of operation
If a complex roller blind actuation mechanism is used to actuate the spool member, then the blind can be wound or unwound, but friction forces are generated upon actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex spool-based actuation mechanism and replaces it with a simple rod insertion and rotation system. This eliminates multiple moving parts, bearings, and wrapping/unwrap- ping actions that generate friction, resulting in a low-friction actuation method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the actuation mechanism into simple, independent components: a rod that can be inserted, rotated, and removed. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex interconnected spool mechanisms, reducing friction and simplifying the overall actuation process
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 safer and more efficient actuation mechanism that reduces the risk of entanglement and friction, enhancing user safety and operational ease.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member operatively coupling the first and second driving assemblies and extending between the first and second unidirectional angular couplers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns cable-covering tube assembly for a roller blind actuation cable, comprising a first cable-covering tube defining a cable-receiving cavity; and at least one tube connector extending at least partially in the cable-receiving cavity and comprising a cable-mounting portion couplable to the free end portion of the roller blind actuation cable; and a coupling portion couplable to the coupling portion of a similar tube connector. It also concerns a cable-covering tube system and a roller blind actuation assembly comprising first and second roller blind-operating systems having each a driving assembly and a unidirectional angular coupler, and a biasing member operatively coupling the driving assemblies and extending between their respective unidirectional angular couplers.