Segmented Roll-Up Shade Structure for Adjustable Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window coverings like roll-up shades and venetian blinds lack the ability to control light transmittance when in a fully lowered or partially lowered position, and woven wood or grass materials used in these shades are difficult to work with due to their small widths and tendency to come apart.
Innovation Solution
A window covering system featuring a headrail with sequentially positioned shade elements made of woven wood or grass, which can be rolled using a control mechanism involving rails and cords, with stiffening bars to assist in rolling, allowing for adjustable light control and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional roll-up shades or roman shades are used, then a softer appearance is achieved, but the ability to control light transmittance when fully lowered or partially lowered is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The window covering is divided into multiple independently operable shade elements (slats) that can be tilted relative to each other. Each slat can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to control light transmittance, while the entire assembly can still be raised or lowered as a unit. This segmentation enables light control functionality similar to venetian blinds while maintaining the roll-up shade structure.
2Illumination intensity
If woven woods or woven grasses are used in small widths for venetian blind slats, then light control is achieved, but the materials are difficult to work with and come apart easily
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple narrow strips of woven wood or woven grass are combined and attached to each ladder rung to form a single, wider, more stable slat. This merging of multiple material pieces creates a slat that is both stable and resistant to coming apart, while still maintaining the natural aesthetic of woven materials. The combined slat provides sufficient width for durability while the individual strips retain the desired material characteristics.
3Shape
If fabric shades are used instead of venetian blinds, then a softer appearance is achieved, but the ability to tilt and control light transmittance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The shade elements are designed to be dynamic rather than static. Each slat can be tilted or rotated about its longitudinal axis to change its orientation, enabling light control functionality. The dynamic capability allows the covering to transition between different light control states while maintaining the soft fabric appearance when in the lowered position.
4Illumination intensity
If venetian blinds with wood, aluminum or plastic slats are used, then light control is achieved, but the appearance is harder and less soft than fabric shades
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter of the slats is changed from traditional hard materials (wood, aluminum, plastic) to soft materials (fabric, woven wood, woven grass). This parameter change maintains the light control functionality through the tilt mechanism while fundamentally altering the appearance to be softer and more consistent with fabric shade aesthetics.
Data Source
AI summary
A window covering has a plurality of shade elements, each having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The shade elements are positioned sequentially below a headrail, and each shade element is made of a window covering material that can be rolled about the first longitudinal edge. A first rail extends from the headrail past the first longitudinal edge of each shade element and is connected to lowermost shade element or the bottom rail. A second rail extends from the headrail and is attached to lowermost shade element or the bottom rail and to the second longitudinal edge of each shade element. Rungs extend between the first rail and the second rail such that there is one rung below and corresponding to each shade element. The first longitudinal edge of each shade element rests upon a corresponding rung when the window covering is in a closed position. A control mechanism is connected to the first rail and is capable of moving the first rail relative to the second rail. Such relative movement causes each of the plurality of shade elements to roll or unroll about the first longitudinal edge of the shade element.