Window Shade Control Module With Gravity-Lowered Bottom Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window shades with longer operating cords are inconvenient to use, prone to entanglement, and pose a risk of child strangulation, while also affecting the aesthetic appearance and increasing the risk of accidental injury.
Innovation Solution
A window shade control module that utilizes a shorter operating cord and an actuator to manage the slats' inclination and vertical movement, featuring a locking mechanism that allows for safe and convenient operation, including a mechanism to lower the shade by gravity and adjust slat inclination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional operating cord system is used for window shades with greater vertical lengths, then the window shade can be raised and lowered, but the operating cord becomes longer which affects outer appearance, increases risk of child strangulation, and becomes inconvenient to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (long operating cord) from the system by replacing it with a compact control module. The control module houses a spool that winds and unwinds a short cord segment, eliminating the need for a long continuous operating cord while maintaining the raise/lower functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module acts as an intermediary device between the user and the window shade mechanism. Instead of directly manipulating a long operating cord, the user interacts with the control module's spool mechanism, which then controls the suspension cords that raise and lower the shade.
2Reliability
If the operating cord is made longer to accommodate greater vertical lengths of window shade, then the full range of motion is achieved, but the risk of child strangle and accidental injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dangerous long operating cord from the accessible area by incorporating it into the control module's internal spool mechanism. Only a short segment of cord is externally visible, eliminating the strangulation hazard while maintaining full operational range through the winding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module's spool mechanism automatically winds and unwinds the cord as the shade is raised and lowered, eliminating the need for a long external operating cord. The mechanism self-regulates the cord length, keeping it short and safe while maintaining full functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the operating cord is made longer to raise the window shade to greater heights, then the vertical range is increased, but the operating cord becomes prone to entanglement and manipulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cord management function into the control module's spool mechanism. The spool keeps the cord neatly wound and prevents entanglement, allowing the user to operate the shade with simple rotational motion rather than manipulating a long, prone-to-tangle cord.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module's spool provides dynamic cord management, automatically adjusting the cord length and configuration as the shade moves up and down. This dynamic mechanism prevents entanglement that would occur with a static long cord system.
4Shape
If a conventional operating cord system is used, then the window shade can be raised and lowered, but the longer operating cord affects the outer appearance of the window shade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the operating cord from the visible exterior by housing it within the control module. The compact control module can be mounted in the valance or headrail, concealing the cord mechanism and presenting a clean, aesthetic appearance while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module nests the spool and cord mechanism within a compact housing that can be integrated into the window shade's valance or headrail structure. This nesting conceals the mechanical elements while maintaining the overall aesthetic design of the window treatment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a safer, more convenient, and aesthetically pleasing operation by reducing cord length, preventing child access, and simplifying the manipulation of window shades, while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an unlocking state in which rotation of the sleeve and the first drive axle is allowed so that the bottom part lowers by gravity action
Data Source
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AI summary
A window shade comprises a head rail, a plurality of slats, a bottom part, suspension cords connected with cord winding units, and a control module. The control module includes first and second drive axles, a sleeve affixed with the first drive axle, a transmission part connected with the second drive axle, an arrester assembled around the first drive axle, and a release unit including an actuator. The first drive axle is operable to control vertical movement of a bottom part, and the second drive axle is operable to adjust an inclination of the slats. The arrester has a locking state in which it blocks a rotational displacement of the first drive axle to keep the bottom part at a desired position, and an unlocking state allowing rotation of the first drive axle so that the bottom part lowers by gravity action. The actuator has a lengthwise axis, and is operable to move along the lengthwise axis from a first position to a second position to turn the arrester from the locking state to the unlocking state, and the actuator when in the first position can drive the second drive axle in rotation.