Roller Blind Spring Preloading via Cable Tensioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller-blind apparatuses face difficulties in regulating the preloading of the spring device, which is often complicated due to its location either inside the winding roller or the slider, leading to structural complexity and accessibility issues.

Innovation Solution

A regulating device within the slider allows for adjustable preloading of the spring device by varying the length of the cable connecting the pulley to the slider, enabling easy adjustment without accessing the winding roller, maintaining a simple slider structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the spring device is housed inside the winding roller, then the apparatus structure is compact, but the preloading regulation becomes very complicated and difficult to access during installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidpreloading regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device is extracted from the winding roller and relocated to the slider assembly, making it accessible for preloading regulation during installation while maintaining the compact overall structure of the apparatus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A cable is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the spring device in the slider to the winding roller, enabling the spring device to be accessed in the slider while still functioning to tension the covering sheet on the winding roller

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the spring device is located within the slider, then the preloading regulation becomes more accessible, but the slider structure becomes considerably complicated and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreloading regulationVSAvoidslider structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device is extracted from the slider interior and repositioned in a location that is accessible for regulation but does not complicate the slider structure, such as mounting it on the slider's exterior or in an accessible compartment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A cable serves as an intermediary, allowing the spring device to be positioned separately from both the winding roller and the main slider structure, connecting the spring's tensioning action to the covering sheet without complicating either component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If the covering sheet length is increased, then the coverage area is improved, but the preloading of the spring device must be increased accordingly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecovering sheet lengthVSAvoidspring device preloading
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device is designed with adjustable preloading capability, allowing the preloading force to be dynamically regulated according to the specific covering sheet length and installation conditions, rather than being fixed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The preloading parameter of the spring device can be changed and regulated to match different covering sheet lengths and application requirements, providing adaptability across various installation scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for effective tensioning of the covering sheet in both rolled-up and extended configurations, overcoming the complexity of preloading regulation in prior art designs while keeping the slider structure uncomplicated.

Implementation Method 1

a spring device that connects the pulley in rotation to the winding roller and is configured for exerting on the pulley a torque in a direction such that the cable is pulled in a direction of winding of the cable on the pulley itself

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a pulley and a tensioning cable that connects the pulley to the slider and can be wound around the pulley

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Implementation Method 3

a winding roller mounted on the support so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP4365401A1Roller-blind apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 MOTTURA
  • EP4365401A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4365401A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4365401A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described herein is a roller-blind apparatus (10), of the type comprising: - a support (2); - a winding roller (4) mounted on the support (2) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (I); - a covering sheet (6), which is mobile between a rolled-up configuration in which it is wound on the winding roller (4) and an extended configuration in which the covering sheet (6) extends from the winding roller (4) in an unwinding direction (Y); - a slider (22), which is mobile in the unwinding direction (Y) and to which an end edge of the covering sheet (6) is connected; and - a pulley (17) and a tensioning cable (24) that connects the pulley (17) to the slider (22) and can be wound on or unwound off the pulley (22), according to the direction of movement of the slider (22) in the unwinding direction (Y). The apparatus further comprises a regulating device (32) via which it is possible to regulate the elastic force that keeps said cable (24) tensioned.