Roller Blind Mounting Guide Flange Spacer Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting devices for roller shutters lack adjustability in non-standard spaces, often resulting in incorrect positioning and difficult assembly due to limited adjustment capabilities and the need for drilling, which complicates the installation process.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a guide flange connected to a flange via joining means comprising spacers and projecting elements, allowing for precise adjustment and easy assembly by embedding or clipping mechanisms, ensuring correct positioning and adaptability to varying space sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If serrated tabs or notched returns are used to connect the guide flange to the end piece, then adaptability to different reserved space sizes is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to high risk of positioning error and askew placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of spacing between guide flange and end pieceVSAvoidpositioning precision of end piece relative to guide flange
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A positioning element with a positioning face is introduced as an intermediary component between the end piece and the guide flange. This positioning element ensures accurate alignment and spacing by providing a dedicated mating surface that guides the assembly, eliminating the positioning errors inherent in direct connection methods like serrated tabs or notched returns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning element is designed to be self-aligning through its positioning face geometry, which automatically guides the end piece into the correct position relative to the guide flange during assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures or additional adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If screws passing through the end piece are used to assemble the guide flange, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases due to drilling requirements and additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strength between end piece and guide flangeVSAvoidassembly complexity involving drilling and additional elements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is extracted from the connection element itself and implemented through a dedicated positioning element with a positioning face. This separation allows the connection to be achieved through simple embedding or clipping actions rather than requiring drilling and screw assembly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex mechanical assembly process involving drilling, screw insertion, and tightening is replaced by a simpler embedding or clipping mechanism. The positioning element's geometry provides the necessary mechanical interlocking and strength without requiring threaded holes or additional fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the guide flange is directly connected to the end piece without intermediate positioning elements, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision and ease of assembly deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of assembly structureVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning element serves as a mediator that simplifies the assembly operation by providing a self-aligning positioning face. This intermediate component enables easy insertion and positioning of the end piece relative to the guide flange through a single embedding or clipping action, greatly improving ease of operation despite adding one component to the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1835123B2Device for assembling a winding mechanism for a roller blind or similar
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 DEPRAT JEAN
  • EP1835123B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1835123B2 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP1835123B2 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

The mounting for the roller of roller blinds in a casing (2) comprises a guide plate (1) with a central aperture, through which the roller shaft fits. Lugs (4) on the corners of this fit into corresponding mountings on an end plate (3), spacers (6) between them allowing adjustment to ensure correct orientation of the roller.