Roller Shade Bracket Assembly to Hide Mounting Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brackets and mounts for roller window shades are bulky and visible, detracting from the aesthetics of the shade system, and there is a need for improved mounting solutions, especially for motorized shades.
Innovation Solution
The development of a system of fastening devices, including one-piece disk-shaped mounting brackets and two-piece 'invisible mount' fastening devices, which are designed to be hidden from view by the shade tube, featuring configurations that obscure the mounting plate and secure the shade motor or idler pin, allowing for aesthetically pleasing and functional mounting of roller window shades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional brackets and mounts are used for roller window shades, then the mounting structure provides sufficient support and stability, but the brackets and mounts are bulky and visible, detracting from the aesthetics of the shade system
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is nested within the bracket structure, with the bracket extending to cover and hide the mounting plate from view. The mounting plate is positioned inside the bracket's internal cavity, creating a nested configuration where the functional mounting component is concealed within the aesthetic outer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is extracted as a separate, hidden component from the visible bracket structure. The mounting plate is positioned inside the bracket and secured internally, separating the functional mounting element from the aesthetic external appearance, allowing the bracket to serve as both structural support and visual cover.
2Reliability
If the mounting plate is made visible to ensure secure attachment, then the structural stability is improved, but the aesthetic appeal of the shade system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is nested within the bracket structure, with the bracket extending to cover and hide the mounting plate from view. The mounting plate is positioned inside the bracket's internal cavity, creating a nested configuration where the functional mounting component is concealed within the aesthetic outer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves as an intermediary element between the mounting plate and the external environment. It provides both structural support for secure mounting and aesthetic coverage to hide the functional components, mediating between the conflicting requirements of visibility and security.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple bracket design is used to maintain aesthetic appeal, then the visual cleanliness is improved, but the ability to securely support motorized shades may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional zones within the bracket: an internal mounting plate area for secure attachment, a keyway section for motor engagement, and an external aesthetic face. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall visual cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket exhibits local quality variations with different structural characteristics in different regions: a robust internal structure for mounting security, a keyway geometry for motor support, and a clean external surface for aesthetics. Each local region is designed with properties optimized for its specific functional requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A roller shade mounting element includes a mount portion configured to couple to a support surface and a bracket portion configured to support a roller window shade assembly. The bracket portion includes a first end and a second end substantially opposite the first end, a first surface at the first end configured to bear against the support surface, a second surface between the first end and the second end where the second surface is configured to extend adjacent an end of the roller window shade assembly, and a member coupled with the bracket portion. The member extends outward from the second surface, and the member is configured to engage and limit rotation of at least a portion of the roller window shade assembly. The combination of the bracket portion and the roller window shade assembly completely obscures at least a portion of the mount portion to an observer.