Shade Suspension Apparatus with Ground-Level Replacement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shade suspension systems require workers to climb platforms to replace shades, which is inconvenient and hazardous, as they need to access high locations for maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A shade suspension apparatus with a hanger on the ceiling, a main housing with winding reels and a rotary body connected to a rotary shaft, and an auxiliary housing with an opening/closing member that allows the shade rod to be lowered for replacement on the floor, facilitated by a pulling cord mechanism and gear engagement for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shade is suspended on a ceiling using a traditional suspension system, then the shade can be effectively installed and function, but workers must climb platforms to replace shades which is hazardous and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the housing movable between a closed state (suspended on ceiling) and an open state (lowered to ground). The housing can be lowered by pulling a cord that unwinds from a reel, allowing workers to safely access the shade rod at ground level for replacement without climbing platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism - a movable housing with a reel and cord system - that mediates between the ceiling-mounted hanger and the shade rod. This intermediary allows the shade assembly to be lowered and raised safely, eliminating the need for workers to climb while still achieving shade replacement.
2Device complexity
If winding reels and rotary body are provided on a single rotary shaft, then the structure is simpler, but the lateral width is larger and balancing operation is more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the winding mechanism by providing winding reels and the rotary body on separate rotary shafts rather than a single shaft. This segmentation allows each shaft to be independently balanced and reduces the lateral width of the housing, as the components are distributed vertically rather than extending laterally from a single shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-shaft configuration (one-dimensional arrangement) to a multi-shaft configuration where components are arranged in different spatial dimensions. The winding reels and rotary body are placed on separate shafts that extend in different directions, reducing the lateral footprint while maintaining functional integration through the housing structure.
3Area of stationary object
If rotational power is transferred through a single shaft, then the power transfer area is larger, but the efficiency is reduced and more power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transfer system into multiple independent shafts, each handling specific rotational power transfer tasks. This segmentation reduces the total power transfer area required on any single shaft and improves efficiency by allowing optimized gear engagement and reduced friction losses in each separate power transfer path.
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
Enables safe and convenient replacement of shades on the ground, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing for easier installation and maintenance by allowing the shade rod to be lowered and raised without the need for platform access.
Implementation Method 1
a friction plate pressed by a spring to control the rotational speed of the rotary body in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotary body
Implementation Method 2
the rotary shaft and the winding reels are separately provided on the shafts so as to rotate by power transferred thereto through gear engagement
Implementation Method 3
a friction plate pressed by a spring to control the rotational speed of the rotary body
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of guide rollers axially spaced apart from each other along the rotary shaft; a suspension cord connected to the winding reel and passing through the guide rollers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shade suspension apparatus. The shade suspension apparatus has the effects of obviating the inconvenience of a worker of having to climb to a shade to perform a replacement work when replacing the shade, etc., and preventing a safety accident which may occur when the worker performs the replacement work on a pedestal.