Screening Arrangement Side Rail Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screening arrangements for windows face challenges in space constraints and high production costs due to the complexity of side rails, which require special manufacturing precautions and aesthetically pleasing transitions while maintaining operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The integration of the second transmission means, comprising racks of teeth, directly into the side rail flanges made of extrudable material, allowing for a compact and cost-effective design that balances operational requirements and ease of mounting, with the pinion engaging securely with the racks to ensure reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the side rails are made slender and thin-walled to meet aesthetic requirements, then the appearance is improved, but the structural strength and space for integrating transmission means deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside rail slendernessVSAvoidside rail structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the side rail structure with the transmission means by integrally forming the racks of teeth within the side rail flanges. This combination eliminates the need for separate transmission components, allowing slender side rails to maintain both aesthetic appearance and functional integrity through integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The side rail is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, guiding the bottom element, and housing the transmission means through integral formation of racks of teeth. This multi-functionality allows the slender side rail to meet aesthetic requirements while maintaining sufficient strength and operational capability

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the side rails are made complex to include multiple functionalities, then the operational requirements are met, but the manufacturing complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside rail functionalityVSAvoidside rail structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functionalities (guiding, support, and transmission) are merged into a single integrated side rail structure with integral racks of teeth, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining versatile functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes extrusion as a manufacturing process that can efficiently produce complex integral shapes including the racks of teeth within the side rail flanges. This parameter change in manufacturing approach allows complex geometries to be produced cost-effectively without proportionally increasing manufacturing difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the transmission means are placed within the side rails, then the operational efficiency is maintained, but the space constraints and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreening arrangement operabilityVSAvoidside rail manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission means are merged with the side rail structure through integral formation of racks of teeth in the flanges, eliminating separate mounting steps and simplifying assembly while maintaining operational efficiency within the confined space of the side rail

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3492686B1A screening arrangement with side rails
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3492686B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3492686B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3492686B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5h

AI summary

The screening arrangement comprises a bottom element (4) and two side rails (10). The bottom element (4) is movable with respect to the two side rails (10) between a non-screening position and a screening position by means of a drive means comprising a first transmission means (30) arranged in the bottom element (4), and a second transmission means (20) arranged in each of the two side rails (10) such as to extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the side rail (10). The second transmission means (20) comprises two racks of teeth (20a, 20b) to engage with one or more pinions (31) of the first transmission means.