Window Screen Bracket Cover for Hidden Electrical Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supporting means for electric screening devices do not effectively hide electrical contact points when the device is not in use, exposing them and affecting the aesthetic appearance, and may reduce the distance between bracket members, causing issues during mounting.
Innovation Solution
A bracket member with a releasable cover member that conceals electrical contact points, maintaining the distance between bracket members and ensuring engagement compatibility with both electric and non-electric screening devices, featuring a central strip and lateral strips that maintain position and engagement when the cover is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrical contact points are made visible on the bracket member main face, then electrical connection is facilitated, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and contact points are exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket member is segmented into functional zones: the main face retains its aesthetic appearance while the rear face or specific recessed areas contain the electrical contact points. This segmentation allows the bracket to serve both aesthetic and electrical connection functions without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate structure (such as a recess, cover, or integrated contact area) is introduced to mediate between the aesthetic requirement of the main face and the functional requirement of electrical contact points. This intermediary element allows electrical connections to be made while preserving the visual integrity of the bracket's main face.
2Ease of manufacture
If bracket members are positioned closer together to accommodate intermediate electric connection pieces, then electrical connection is enabled, but mounting flexibility for arbitrary screening devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket member is designed with multi-functionality: it provides both mechanical support for various screening devices and integrated electrical connection capability. By incorporating electrical contact points directly on the bracket, it eliminates the need for intermediate connection pieces, thereby maintaining standard positioning and mounting flexibility while enabling electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection function is merged with the mechanical support function in a single integrated bracket member. The electrical contact points are integrated into the bracket structure itself, combining two previously separate functions (mechanical support and electrical connection) into one component, thus maintaining positioning flexibility while enabling electrical connectivity.
3Ease of operation
If electrical contact points are exposed on the main face, then electrical connection is simplified, but protection against damage and aesthetic appearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact points are nested within recesses or integrated areas of the bracket member, similar to a nested doll structure. This nesting provides natural protection against damage while keeping the contact points accessible for electrical connections. The contact points are contained within the bracket's structure rather than being exposed on the outer surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket member (9) of a supporting means for supporting a screening device in a frame structure, which has at least one pair of opposed frame pieces (5, 6), said supporting means comprising a pair of bracket members (9, 9′) provided for mounting on a respective frame piece (5, 6) of said pair of opposed frame pieces and a pair of coupling members (30) positioned at either of two opposing ends of the screening device. The bracket member (9) comprises a base (10) for abutment on the frame piece (5), a main face (11) opposite the base (10) and at least one bracket member engagement side (12) for engaging a coupling member of the screening device. A part of the main face (11) is provided by a releasable cover member (15), below which an electrical contact point is provided. The coupling member comprises a recess having at least one coupling member engagement side for engaging a bracket member (9) and an electrical terminal in the recess.