Roller Blind Housing with Conical Cavities for Safety Disengagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller blind safety devices are inadequate in preventing accidents caused by children exerting excessive force on the operating chain, which can lead to the roller being pulled out of its housing, potentially causing injury.

Innovation Solution

The roller blind device features conical cavities in its side walls with resiliently pressed support members and a coupling mechanism that allows the roller to rotate freely within a housing, which can be drawn out when excessive force is applied, redirecting the chain over a secondary roller to prevent accidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the roller is fixed securely in the housing to prevent accidental dislodgement, then the reliability of the roller blind operation is improved, but the ability to respond to excessive force is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller blind operation reliabilityVSAvoidresponse to excessive force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The roller housing connection is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The housing can rotate about 30 degrees relative to the roller shaft when excessive force is applied, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on the force magnitude. This dynamic behavior enables the housing to disengage from the roller under excessive force while maintaining secure connection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection parameters between the housing and roller are designed to change based on applied force. The frictional connection and rotational capability allow the system to transition between different operational states - firmly connected during normal use and disengaged during excessive force events. This parameter change enables the system to differentiate between normal operational forces and dangerous excessive forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the operating chain is made longer to allow free movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety risk is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain movement freedomVSAvoidchild safety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing acts as an intermediary element between the roller and the operating chain. It provides a protective enclosure that limits the accessibility of the chain to children while allowing full operational movement. The housing's rotational capability serves as a safety mechanism that intervenes when excessive force is applied, disengaging the chain from the roller to prevent injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the roller is allowed to rotate freely in the housing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the connection is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller rotation freedomVSAvoidroller-housing connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between roller and housing is designed to be dynamically stable - firmly connected during normal rotation but capable of controlled disengagement under excessive force. The frictional connection maintains stability during operation while allowing the housing to rotate approximately 30 degrees when force thresholds are exceeded, transitioning from a stable connected state to a disengaged safety state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution effectively protects against excessive force by allowing the roller to be drawn out of its housing, ensuring the chain is not accessible to children, thus preventing accidents while still allowing normal operation of the roller blind.

Implementation Method 1

resilient pressed against said roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3143232B1Device for rotating the shaft of a roller blind
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 FOREST GROUP NEDERLAND
  • EP3143232B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3143232B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

Device for rotating the shaft (12) of a roller blind or such like, comprising a roller (5) for coupling with said shaft. A chain (7) either a cord running over said roller. Said roller is supported in a housing (1, 21) such that when a force higher than a given value is exerted, said roller will be drawn out of said housing. The side walls (8) of said roller (5) are provided with conical cavities in which support members (3, 10, 11) are received being taken up in said housing and from which at least one is resilient pressed against said roller. Said housing being fixedly connected to a building either a part (21) of this and being connected via a secondary roller (24) to a chain (25) driving the shaft (1, 2) of said roller blind.