Motorized Screen Actuator Flange Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized screen maneuvering devices for roll-up fabrics in window coverings and projection screens often require additional accessories and complex architectures, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs, particularly when the winding shaft needs to be suspended and torque compensation is required.

Innovation Solution

A motorized home automation system with a compact and versatile design where the actuator is integrated directly into the winding tube, eliminating the need for external accessories, and utilizing a torque take-up bar between side plates to compensate for unwinding torque, allowing the winding shaft to be freely rotating and supported by a flange that acts as both a bearing and a torque compensation element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuator is mounted inside the winding tube with traditional fixed accessories, then the actuator can be securely mounted, but the device architecture becomes complex and requires additional accessories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator mounting securityVSAvoiddevice architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is integrated directly into the actuator housing, eliminating the need for separate mounting accessories. The actuator housing itself forms the flange structure, creating a unified component that performs both actuator housing and mounting functions, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining secure mounting capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated flange structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the actuator housing closure, provides mounting attachment points, and enables direct integration with the winding tube. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated mounting accessories, reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a torque compensation means is added to compensate for unwinding torque, then the unwinding torque is compensated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque compensationVSAvoiddevice architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque compensation function is integrated into the flange structure itself. The flange includes a torque compensation element that works in conjunction with the winding tube to compensate for unwinding torque, eliminating the need for separate torque compensation mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flange is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mounting support, structural closure, and torque compensation. By combining these functions into a single integrated element, the device architecture is simplified while maintaining effective torque compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the winding shaft is kept free to rotate on the actuator, then the winding shaft can rotate freely, but additional support structures are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding shaft rotationVSAvoidsupport structures
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support function for the freely rotating winding shaft is integrated into the flange structure. The flange includes bearing surfaces and support elements that enable free rotation of the winding shaft while providing necessary structural support, eliminating the need for separate support structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the architecture, reduces the need for additional components, and ensures reliable operation in various mounting configurations, including conventional and inverted setups, by directly integrating the actuator within the winding tube and using a flange to manage rotational forces, thus enhancing the maneuvering efficiency and versatility of mobile screens.

Implementation Method 1

The device comprises a means for compensating the unwinding torque acting exclusively by interaction with gravity and/or with the fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2862259B1Motorized operating device for operating a moveable screen having a roll-up canvas of a window covering or projection screen device
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP2862259B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2862259B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2862259B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor-driven control device (1) for controlling a movable screen consisting of a windable canvas (3), the motor-driven control device including: an actuator (4) including a hollow casing (41) containing a gear motor; and a mounting flange (7a), characterized in that the flange (7a) includes a first mounting (11), extending from the flange along a first longitudinal axis (X-X') and engaging with the casing (41) of the actuator (4), in that it includes a second mounting (12) extending from the flange along a second axis (Ya-Ya', Z-Z') that is different from the first axis, and in that the hollow casing of the actuator, which is in particular a tubular hollow casing, is closed by the first mounting of the flange.