Screen Device Segmented Guide With Needle Retainers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screen devices with integral molded resin guide units are prone to bending and partial breakage during expansion and storage, leading to potential damage to the screen, necessitating multiple guide units made of different materials, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A screen device design featuring a first guide formed by connecting multiple guide units with pivotable and bendable structures, incorporating needle-like screen retaining members made of materials matching the screen, which attach to the guide units to prevent slipping and damage, allowing for a single type of guide unit material and smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If integral molded resin guide units are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the guide units are prone to bending and partial breakage during expansion and storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide unit manufacturingVSAvoidguide unit durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide unit is divided into multiple segments that can pivot relative to each other. Each segment is connected through pivot points, allowing the guide to flex and bend during screen expansion and storage without causing breakage. This segmentation distributes mechanical stress across multiple joints rather than requiring a single rigid molded piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple guide units made of different materials are prepared, then screen damage is suppressed, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen protectionVSAvoidguide unit material variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary element between the guide unit and the screen. This buffer member absorbs mechanical stress and prevents direct contact between the guide unit and the screen, eliminating the need for multiple guide unit materials. The buffer member serves as a protective layer that mediates between the guide unit's movement and the screen's vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If rigid protrusions are used to hold the screen, then screen slip-out is prevented, but the protrusions transform by bending and partial breakages during repeated expansion and storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen retentionVSAvoidprotrusion durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion is designed with dynamic properties, allowing it to pivot and move rather than remaining rigid. This dynamic protrusion can flex and adapt during screen expansion and storage, preventing breakage while maintaining its ability to hold the screen in place. The pivoting mechanism allows the protrusion to absorb mechanical stress without transforming or breaking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4063605B1Screen device
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 METACO INC
  • EP4063605B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4063605B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4063605B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In a screen device (SD), a screen retaining member (9) formed by detachably attaching a plurality of needle-like parts (92) in intervals to a longitudinal base part (91) which is bendable in a pivotally moving direction of each of the first guide units (63), and in an attached condition of the screen retaining member (9), the base part (91) is supported between the rail part (63g) and the supporting piece (63h) of each of the first guide units (63) and all of the needle-like parts (92) protrude inwardly between opposing side walls (63a, 63a) of each of the first guide unis (63).