Self-adjusting Bottom Bar for Uneven Floor Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retractable screens face challenges when installed on non-level floors, leading to unsightly gaps and potential pest entry, as they either wrinkle or require costly and impractical adjustments to maintain a seal.
Innovation Solution
A retractable screen bottom bar assembly with an adjustable bottom arm that pivots to engage uneven floors, providing a sealed and aesthetically pleasing installation without the need for on-site adjustments, using a pivot mechanism and magnetic leveling system to maintain alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the base bar is installed level and perpendicular to the screen, then the screen does not kink or wrinkle during lowering, but gaps form between the base bar and non-level floor
Solution Approach 1:
The base bar is made adjustable and pivotable relative to the screen frame, allowing it to dynamically adapt its angle to match non-level floors. The pivot mechanism enables the base bar to rotate between a level position (when screen is retracted) and a tilted position (when engaged with the floor), resolving the contradiction between maintaining screen stability and achieving floor seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The base bar assembly is divided into separate components: the main base bar attached to the screen, and an adjustable extension arm that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows the screen-maintaining portion to remain level while the floor-engaging portion tilts to match the floor slope, eliminating gaps without causing screen wrinkles.
2Ease of operation
If the base bar is lowered until flush with the floor on non-level surfaces, then gaps are sealed, but tension is removed from the screen causing wrinkles or buckles
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism allows the base bar to dynamically adjust its position: during screen lowering, the base bar remains level maintaining screen tension; when the screen is fully deployed, the base bar pivots to engage the floor at the correct angle, sealing gaps without affecting screen flatness.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable base bar is pre-configured with pivot capability and adjustment mechanisms during manufacturing, allowing it to automatically assume the correct position for both screen support and floor engagement without requiring on-site adjustments or compromising screen integrity.
3Ease of operation
If cat hair aprons are used to fill gaps, then floor gaps are sealed, but the appearance is unsightly and dust/debris accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The unsightly cat hair apron is completely removed and replaced with a mechanical pivot mechanism. The base bar itself engages the floor through controlled pivoting, creating a clean, gap-free seal without requiring additional aprons or coverings that would compromise aesthetics or accumulate debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable base bar is self-adjusting through its pivot mechanism, automatically engaging the floor at the correct angle without requiring cat hair aprons or other auxiliary sealing materials. The system serves its own sealing function through the mechanical action of the pivoting base bar.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-adjusting retractable screen with an adjustable bottom bar assembly is disclosed herein. The adjustable bar assembly comprises a bottom bar assembly, an adjustable arm assembly, and a pivot assembly. The adjustable arm assembly is pivotally engaged with the bottom bar assembly via the pivot assembly, which is disposed in the horizontal center of both the bottom bar assembly and the adjustable arm assembly. During the deployment of the retractable screen, while the bottom bar assembly remains level, one side of the adjustable arm assembly can pivot upwards when the side first contacts a high point of an uneven surface, i.e., floor. When the screen retracts with the adjustable bottom bar assembly off the uneven surface, the adjust arm assembly has means to return itself to a level position.