Cordless Roman Shade Assembly With Compact Rolling Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Roman shades with automatic winding means occupy significant space and are cumbersome to operate due to the complexity of their components and reliance on cords for control.

Innovation Solution

A Roman shade design featuring a pendent and foldable Roman shade assembly with a rolling shade that uses a main shaft with a winding mechanism, pressing rods, and positioning means for easier retraction and extension, eliminating the need for cords and reducing the holding space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional automatic winding means with great number of elements is used, then winding function is achieved, but holding space becomes large and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic winding functionVSAvoidholding space in upper rail

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential winding function from the complex conventional system and implements it through a simplified mechanism consisting of a spring spool and winding cord, eliminating the need for great number of elements while maintaining automatic winding capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by positioning the winding means specifically at the rear end of the upper rail, and using a spring spool with elastic potential energy storage, creating a compact localized solution that reduces overall holding space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Extent of automation

If conventional automatic winding means with great number of elements is used, then winding function is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic winding functionVSAvoidnumber of elements in winding means

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring spool automatically winds the winding cord when the Roman shade is pulled down, and automatically unwinds when the shade is raised, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If cords are used for controlling retraction and extension, then control function is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of retraction and extensionVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex cord system and replaces it with a direct manual operation mechanism where the user simply pulls the lower rail to extend and releases it to retract, significantly improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The winding means automatically performs the winding and unwinding operations based on user action alone, without requiring complex control systems or multiple cords, simplifying the operational process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If thicker shaft is used to support automatic winding means, then structural strength is improved, but holding space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft strengthVSAvoidholding space in upper rail

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention positions the winding means at the rear end of the upper rail and uses a spring spool design that provides sufficient structural strength locally without requiring a thicker shaft throughout, thereby reducing overall holding space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spring spool provides dynamic structural support that adapts to the winding tension requirements, eliminating the need for an overly thick static shaft design while maintaining adequate strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates easier and safer control of retraction and extension, reducing the complexity of operations and enhancing usability by using the rolling shade as a force application point and anchor mechanism within the upper rail.

Implementation Method 1

a spring spool (83, 84) coupled on the holding struts (821, 822)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS8291959B2Roman shade

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 CHENG LI MING

AI summary

A Roman shade includes an upper rail, a Roman shade assembly attached to a lower side of the upper rail that is pendent and foldable, and a rolling shade retractable in the upper rail and retained at the backside of the Roman shade assembly. The Roman shade assembly includes a fabric shade, and the fabric shade has at least one pressing rod on the backside and a positioning means at a distal end. The rolling shade includes a main shaft in the upper rail with a winding means and a shade surface. The shade surface has one end fastened to the main shaft and another end running through the pressing rods and anchored on the positioning means. The winding means can be used to reduce a holding space and retraction and extension of the Roman shade can be controlled by the rolling shade. Operation is simpler with less effort.