Roller Shade Counterbalancing Device with Adjustable Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller shades lack a simple and cost-effective mechanism for balancing and adjusting positions without additional braking devices or operating cords, and struggle to combine a stop for limiting upward travel with torque accumulating mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A roller shade system utilizing a helically wound tension spring for balancing and an adjustable upward travel limiting stop, allowing for balanced positioning without brakes or friction increasing devices, and enabling fine adjustments through a spring force driven mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a helically wound tension spring is used for counterbalancing, then the roller shade can be balanced in every desired position without additional braking devices, but the mechanism becomes more complex in combining with upward travel limiting stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the upward travel limiting stop function with the torque accumulating mechanism by integrating the stop into the spring winder assembly. The stop is positioned to limit rotation of the spring winder, thereby simultaneously achieving travel limitation and torque accumulation functions through a unified structure rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring winder mechanism serves multiple functions: it winds the tension spring for counterbalancing, accumulates torque to maintain position, and incorporates an integrated stop to limit upward travel. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate braking devices and travel limiters, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable upward travel limiting stop is provided, then the roller shade can be adjusted for different positions, but the adjustment mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The upward travel limiting stop is designed to be adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the roller shade to adapt to different desired positions. The stop can be repositioned along the roller shaft to accommodate various shade heights and travel requirements, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring a completely separate adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stop is pre-configured to work with the spring winder mechanism, where the stop position is set in advance to limit the winding rotation. This preliminary configuration allows the same mechanism to serve both counterbalancing and travel limitation functions, reducing the need for additional adjustment components.
3Measurement precision
If fine adjustment of torque accumulating mechanism is required for production tolerances and wear, then positioning precision improves, but the mechanism becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The spring winder mechanism inherently provides fine adjustment capability through its rotational winding action. As the spring winds onto the winder, it naturally compensates for production tolerances and wear through incremental rotation, eliminating the need for separate fine adjustment mechanisms. The system self-regulates to maintain precise positioning through the mechanical properties of the wound spring.
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 balanced positioning of roller shades in any desired state without additional brakes or friction mechanisms, facilitating easy assembly and operation while allowing for cost-effective production and adjustment of the upward travel limit.
Implementation Method 1
The means for storing variable torque includes a helically wound tension spring. One end of the helically wound tension spring is keyed to the stationary central rod and the other end is keyed to the roller shaft.
Implementation Method 2
The variable torque stored in the means for storing variable torque prevents rotation of the roller shaft due to the variable weight of the portion of flexible sheet member depending from the roller shaft in any position between the fully wound and the fully unwound position.
Data Source
AI summary
A counterbalancing device for a roller shade having a flexible sheet member and a roller shaft coupled to the flexible sheet member includes a stationary rod extending within the roller shaft, with the rod including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The counterbalancing device also includes a rod adjuster coupled to the first end of the stationary rod and a spring winder positioned adjacent to the first end of the stationary rod. The rod adjuster is configured to selectively rotate the stationary rod and the spring winder is configured to rotate with the roller shaft. Additionally, the counterbalancing device also includes a spring having a first spring end coupled to the spring winder such that the first spring end rotates with the spring winder, and a second spring end coupled to the stationary rod such that the second spring end rotates with the stationary rod.