Roller Blind Slat Elastic Return Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building closing systems with adjustable slats face issues such as slat bending due to weight, unsightly and fragile cables for orientation, increased assembly costs, and limited applicability to rolling shutters, which affect light-tightness and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastic return means, specifically a spring interacting between adjustable and fixed slats, to maintain slats in alignment and prevent bending, combined with transmission means for orientation, ensuring slats remain in the plane and remain tensioned for effective concealment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If connecting cables are used to prevent slat bending and enable orientation, then slat stability is improved, but device complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslat stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the connecting cables from the system and replaces them with individual elastic return means attached to each slat. This extraction of the cable system eliminates the complexity and fragility associated with cables while maintaining slat stability through the elastic return mechanism that automatically returns slats to the horizontal position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic return means are designed to be self-acting, using the slat's own weight and the elastic force to automatically return the slat to its horizontal position without requiring external control or complex mechanisms. Each slat serves its own orientation control function through the attached elastic element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Illumination intensity

If connecting cables are used for slat orientation, then light-tightness is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to cable fragility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight-tightnessVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fragile, expensive cables with simple, robust elastic return means that are more reliable and easier to replace if needed. The elastic elements are designed to be durable yet simple in construction, eliminating the fragility issues associated with cables while maintaining the light-tightness function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If slats are made with large section to prevent bending, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses elastic return means that generate an opposing force to counteract the bending effect of slat weight. Instead of increasing slat section to resist bending, the elastic elements provide a counteracting force that maintains slat stability, allowing for thinner, less complex slat construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Ease of operation

If telescopic articulation is used in rolling shutters, then ease of operation is improved, but light-tightness deteriorates due to openings between slats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidlight-tightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic return means are pre-loaded to exert a continuous force that keeps slats in the horizontal position and pressed against each other. This preliminary action ensures that slats remain tightly aligned during operation, preventing openings and maintaining light-tightness while preserving the ease of operation provided by telescopic articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 maintains adjustable slats in the plane, enhancing light-tightness and preventing flapping, while reducing assembly costs and improving aesthetics, allowing for effective concealment and reduced passage of light and air.

Implementation Method 1

elastic return means in the form of a spring interacting between said adjustable blade and said fixed blade to which it is connected via the articulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2146044B1Curtain of a screening device, in particular for a roller blind

Publication Date: 2014.01.01 BUBENDORFF SA

Figure 1~7
Figure 8~10

AI summary

The apron has a juxtaposition of fixed and orientable slats (2A, 2B), and a transmission unit for intervening on orientation of the orientable slat when the apron is in deployed position. The orientable slat is subjected to an elastic return unit (10) in alignment position in a plane of the apron. The orientable slat is connected to the fixed slat by a joint. The return unit is formed of a helical spring (11) interacting between the orientable and fixed slats.