Screen Tension Member Connector Structure for Easier Wiring Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing screen apparatus requires complex and skill-dependent wiring operations for the tension member due to the unequal lengths of the first and second guide units, leading to uneven storage widths and difficulty in fixing ends to the second guide, which is further away from the open end of the slidable frame.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a male part and female part is introduced, allowing easy fixation of the tension member ends to the second guide by forming a ball knot and using screws, with adjustable tension, facilitating the wiring operation without requiring high skill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the first guide units have longer side walls than the second guide units, then the first guide can maintain linearity in the X-axis direction when drawn from the slidable frame, but the storage width of the second guide becomes narrower and the wiring operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A connector is introduced as an intermediary component between the tension member and the second guide. The connector includes a body with a through-hole and a protrusion that engages with the second guide, allowing the tension member to be fixed at a position farther from the open end while maintaining proper tensioning function. This intermediary component resolves the difficulty of wiring operation caused by the unequal lengths of the guides.
2Shape
If the second guide is positioned farther from the open end of the slidable frame, then the storage structure can accommodate the unequal guide lengths, but the wiring operation requires higher skill level
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves as a mediator that simplifies the wiring operation. By providing a through-hole for the tension member and an engagement structure with the second guide, it allows workers to perform the wiring operation at the open end of the slidable frame without requiring high skill levels, even though the second guide is positioned farther away in the storage configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with pre-formed engagement structures (protrusion and recess) that guide the wiring operation. The through-hole is positioned and sized to accommodate the tension member, and the engagement features are shaped to automatically align with the second guide, performing preliminary positioning actions that reduce the skill requirement for assembly.
3Volume of moving object
If the unequal lengths of first and second guide units are used, then the screen apparatus can achieve compact storage, but the tension member fixation to the second guide becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector acts as an intermediary that simplifies the fixation of the tension member to the second guide. It provides a through-hole for the tension member to pass through and an engagement structure with the second guide, reducing the fixation complexity while maintaining the compact storage capability enabled by the unequal guide lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct components: the tension member, the connector, and the second guide. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the connector can be specifically designed with the appropriate hole position and engagement features to simplify fixation, while the guides maintain their unequal lengths for compact storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is connected to a second guide unit positioned at one end in a Z-axis direction of a second guide stored in a storage portion of a slidable frame, is longitudinal in an X-axis direction and has a female part and a male part that is fixable to and separate from the female part. The female part has a pair of connecting pieces having respective third openings into which second pins of a second guide unit are respectively fitted, a fourth opening at one end portion in the Z-axis direction and which is open in the X-axis direction, and a hollow receiving portion extending in the Z-axis direction. The male part is storable in the receiving portion, and opposite ends of a tension member are fixed to the male part. The male part includes a fixing piece which has a fifth opening capable of communicating with the fourth opening.