Screen Device Guide Element Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screen devices with zip fasteners for coupling multiple screen rollers are prone to wear, leading to reduced functionality and increased wrinkling when rolling up or unrolling large glass sections, as the coupling pieces wear down and the joining strips become less effective.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a guide element with a guide surface that gradually moves away from the screen planes during unrolling and rolling up, which absorbs stresses and reduces wear on the coupling piece, and using a deformable or tiltable coupling piece to facilitate smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stronger coupling piece is used to reduce wear, then the coupling piece durability is improved, but the joining strips wear more quickly and the screens may tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling piece durabilityVSAvoidjoining strip strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece is divided into three separate components: upper body, lower body, and intermediate piece. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and distributed wear across multiple components rather than concentrating stress on a single strong piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate piece acts as a mediator between the upper and lower bodies, providing a wear-resistant surface that protects the joining strips while allowing controlled movement. This intermediary component absorbs wear instead of allowing direct contact between the upper and lower bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If stronger joining strips are used to reduce wear, then the joining strip durability is improved, but the strips become more rigid and cause more wrinkling when rolling up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining strip durabilityVSAvoidscreen rolling smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The material properties of the joining strips are carefully selected to achieve an optimal balance between strength and flexibility. The strips are made from materials that provide sufficient durability while maintaining the flexibility needed for smooth rolling operation without excessive wrinkling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the coupling piece is made from stronger material, then the coupling piece wear is reduced, but the screens and joining strips experience increased stress and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling piece durabilityVSAvoidstress on screens
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece is divided into three separate components: upper body, lower body, and intermediate piece. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and distributed wear across multiple components rather than concentrating stress on a single strong piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate piece acts as a mediator between the upper and lower bodies, providing a wear-resistant surface that protects the joining strips while allowing controlled movement. This intermediary component absorbs wear instead of allowing direct contact between the upper and lower bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If multiple screen rollers are arranged next to each other to cover larger glass sections, then the coverage area is improved, but the complexity of the coupling system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglass section coverageVSAvoidcoupling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece design with Y-shaped channel and intermediate piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: it couples joining strips from multiple screens, provides wear resistance, allows controlled movement during rolling, and maintains alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3478922B1Screen device
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 RENSON SUNPROTECTION SCREENS NV
  • EP3478922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3478922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3478922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a screen device (1), comprising: - a first and a second screen (4, 5) with a first and second joining strip (6, 7), respectively, on adjacent lateral sides which can be rolled up onto and unrolled from a first and second screen roller (2, 3), respectively; - a coupling piece (8) with a Y-shaped channel, delimited by an upper body (9), a lower body (10) and an intermediate piece (11), in which the joining strips (6, 7) are displaceable for coupling and uncoupling them when unrolling or rolling up the screens (4, 5), respectively; - and a guide element (15) with a guide surface (16) for guiding the joining strips (6, 7) which is arranged away from the screen rollers (2, 3) adjacent to the Y-shaped channel and/or partly delimits this Y-shaped channel and, in the unrolling direction of the screens (4, 5), during the unrolling and rolling up of the screens (4, 5), is arranged gradually further away from each plane in which the screens (4, 5) substantially extend in their unrolled state.