Security Shade Roller Tube Torsion Spring Modules for Adjustable Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mechanisms for retracting security shades in motor vehicles require custom-designed torsion springs and housings for different vehicle models, leading to increased engineering costs and inventory complexity, as well as limitations in adjusting biasing force and angular rotation.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a plurality of torsion spring force units that can be connected in parallel or series to adjust the total angular biasing force and rotation, allowing for standardized components and easy adjustment of force and rotation by varying the number of units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom-designed torsion springs are used for different vehicle models, then the biasing force and angular rotation can be optimized for each specific installation, but the engineering costs and inventory complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the torsion spring system into modular force units, where each unit contains a standardized torsion spring. Multiple identical units can be combined in series or parallel configurations to achieve different total biasing forces and rotation angles, eliminating the need for custom-designed springs for each vehicle model while maintaining optimized performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal torsion spring unit that can serve multiple functions and applications across different vehicle models. By standardizing the spring design and allowing flexible combination through series/parallel arrangements, a single standardized component design replaces the need for multiple custom designs, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining adaptability to different force and rotation requirements.
2Force
If different sized torsion springs are designed for various security shade installations, then the specific force requirements of each installation can be met, but the engineering costs and device inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the force requirement into discrete, standardized force units. Each unit contains an identical torsion spring designed for standard manufacturing. The total biasing force is achieved by combining multiple identical units rather than manufacturing custom springs with different force characteristics, significantly reducing engineering costs through standardized production.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the physical parameters (size, wire diameter, coil spacing) of individual springs to achieve different forces, the system changes the number of identical spring units combined in the assembly. This allows force adjustment through quantity rather than customization, enabling standard manufacturing processes to produce all required force levels.
3Ease of operation
If torsion springs are custom designed for each motor vehicle, then the specific angular rotation requirements can be met, but the surrounding mounting mechanism must also be custom designed, increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is segmented into a standardized interface that accommodates multiple identical force units. Each force unit has a uniform mounting configuration, and the overall mounting structure is designed to accept a variable number of these standardized units, eliminating the need for custom mounting mechanisms for each vehicle model while maintaining the required angular rotation capabilities.
4Device complexity
If a single torsion spring is used at each end, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to adjust biasing force and rotation amount is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single torsion spring is segmented into multiple identical force units that can be independently assembled. This segmentation maintains relative structural simplicity of individual units while enabling adjustment of total biasing force and rotation amount by varying the number of units combined in series or parallel, achieving both simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed, static configuration (single spring) to a dynamic, adjustable configuration where the number of force units can be varied. This allows the device to adapt to different force and rotation requirements while maintaining a simple base structure that can be easily reconfigured.
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
This solution enables standardized torsion spring designs and housings, reducing costs and inventory complexity while allowing for customizable biasing force and rotation, improving the efficiency of security shade retraction systems.
Implementation Method 1
These devices at each end of the shade often include a torsion spring for biasing the roller tube in the rotational direction for storing the shade
Data Source
AI summary
A device for creating an angular biasing force for the roller tube of a security shade, which roller tube is mounted to a fixed structure of a vehicle. The device comprises an element attached to the fixed structure of the vehicle and a plurality of force units, each including a torsion spring exerting a biasing force between the structure and the roller tube, wherein the torsion springs each have a first inner end associated with the fixed structure and a second outer end associated with the roller tube so the torsion biasing force of each spring is in a direction from the fixed structure to the roller tube. The total angular force of the device is the sum of the biasing forces of all of the torsion spring force units when the units are connected in parallel. When connected in series, the magnitude of angular rotation is the sum of the angle of rotation of all units.