Shading Device With Concealed Tension Cords
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shading systems face challenges in achieving an aesthetically pleasing design while ensuring complete shading without light penetration, robust handling, and simple assembly, particularly in adapting to the area to be shaded.
Innovation Solution
A pleated blind system with two side guide strips that run longitudinally and are adhesive, featuring upper and lower operating profiles that move transversely, concealing tension cords within a channel formed by the guide strips, and utilizing a guide element for reliable guidance and concealment of the cords, along with a honeycomb or pleated fabric curtain for optimal shading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If tension cords are exposed in conventional shading systems, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and the system looks less appealing
Solution Approach 1:
The tension cords are extracted from the visible front area and routed through channels in the guide rails, removing the aesthetic defect while maintaining the functional simplicity of the cord suspension system
Solution Approach 2:
Guide rails serve as intermediary elements that provide channels to conceal the tension cords, acting as a mediator between the functional requirement of cord suspension and the aesthetic requirement of hidden cords
2Reliability
If guide elements are added to improve guidance of operating profiles, then the reliability of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails combine multiple functions: they guide the operating profiles through lateral guidance elements, conceal the tension cords through integrated channels, and provide structural support, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing component count
3Reliability
If the U-profile is made robust to serve as lateral guide for the lower operating profile, then the guidance reliability is improved, but the overall appearance deteriorates with a solid frame look
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire U-profile robust and visible, only the necessary guide elements within the profile provide the required guidance reliability, while the overall structure maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance by minimizing visible frame elements
4Reliability
If the shading system is designed for precise fitting to the area to be shaded, then the complete shading performance is improved, but the ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails are designed with adjustable parameters such as length and positioning, allowing adaptation to different installation areas while maintaining precise fitting for complete shading, thereby improving ease of installation without compromising shading performance
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~9
AI summary
The shading system (2) has two lateral guide rails (4) and two operating profiles (8) that are slidable along the guide rails (4) and between which a curtain (10) is arranged. The operating profiles (8) are arranged in front of the guide rails (4). The guide rails (4) have a channel (22) in which tension cords (20) are concealed. The tension cords (20) are guided laterally out of the channel (22) and into the operating profile (8) at a rear side (16) by means of a guide element (18). The guide element (18) is mounted to be laterally displaceable, in particular against a spring force. This achieves concealed guidance of the tension cords (20).