Roller Blind Solenoid Release Mechanism for Rapid Gravity Descent

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller blinds face challenges in quickly lowering curtain fabrics due to deceleration caused by worm gear meshing with worm, making it difficult to rapidly lower the curtains when needed.

Innovation Solution

A roller blind design featuring a reeling mechanism with a solenoid valve, push mechanism, and damper, allowing the curtain fabric to be quickly lowered by disengaging the front cap from the engaging portion and removing resistance, enabling gravity-driven descent without the need for manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If worm gear is meshed with worm to control curtain descent, then the curtain can be controlled to lower smoothly, but the curtain cannot be quickly lowered due to deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurtain lowering speedVSAvoidcontrolled descent
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission system is divided into two independent paths: a worm gear-worm path for controlled descent and a direct-drive path for quick descent. The clutch assembly allows selective engagement of either path, enabling the curtain to be lowered either smoothly under control or rapidly without the deceleration effect of the worm gear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between two operational modes by engaging or disengaging the clutch. When the clutch is engaged, the worm gear provides controlled descent; when disengaged, the direct-drive path enables quick descent. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between controlled descent and quick lowering speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If solenoid valve drives push mechanism to contract to remove pressure from rotating brake plates, then the curtain can be quickly lowered, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurtain lowering speedVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solenoid valve replaces a purely mechanical release mechanism with an electromechanical one. The solenoid converts electrical signals to mechanical motion, actuating the push mechanism to release the brake plates. This substitution enables remote and automated control of quick descent while integrating smoothly with the existing mechanical brake system.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The push mechanism acts as an intermediary between the solenoid valve and the brake plates. It translates the solenoid's linear motion into the force needed to separate the brake plates, enabling controlled release of the braking force and facilitating quick curtain descent without direct mechanical linkage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If damper is disposed in reeling mechanism to provide resistance, then the curtain descent can be controlled, but the curtain cannot be quickly lowered due to resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled descentVSAvoidcurtain lowering speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The brake plates are pre-positioned to contact the outer tube and provide braking force during normal operation. When quick descent is needed, the solenoid-actuated push mechanism rapidly separates these pre-positioned brake plates, removing the resistive force of the damper and enabling the curtain to lower quickly under gravity without controlled descent limitations.

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

Enables rapid and secure lowering of curtain fabrics, reducing the risk of discovery and allowing remote operation, while the limiting mechanism prevents excessive descent and buffer elastic members reduce impact forces, ensuring safe and controlled operation.

Implementation Method 1

a solenoid valve, disposed in the reeling mechanism; a push mechanism, movably disposed on the reeling mechanism, the push mechanism being connected with the solenoid valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid: Solenoid

Implementation Method 2

a damper, disposed in the reeling mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the reeling mechanism is not subject to a resistance of the damper to drive the outer tube to rotate so as to lower the curtain fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3825509B1Roller blind
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 CSL SUNMASTER ENTERPRISES
  • EP3825509B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825509B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3825509B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a roller blind, comprising a control device (1) and a linkage assembly (2). The control device(1) comprises a reeling mechanism (11), a solenoid valve (12), a push mechanism (14), a front cap (15), and a damper. After the solenoid valve (12) is energized, the solenoid valve (12) drives the push mechanism (14) to push against the front cap (15) so as to separate the front cap (15) from an engaging portion of the reeling mechanism (11), and the reeling mechanism (11) is not subject to a resistance of the damper. A curtain fabric (A) is not affected by the resistance of the damper and can be quickly lowered by gravity.