Sheer Material Grid Structure for Architectural Coverings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheer materials for architectural coverings tend to be dimensionally unstable, especially under load, and increasing their openness reduces their dimensional stability, necessitating a solution that balances light diffusion with stability.
Innovation Solution
A light diffusing material with a grid-like pattern defined by columns and rows of yarns, where pillars contain multiple yarns for strength and bridges provide tensile stiffness, allowing for high openness without compromising stability, achieved through specific yarn configurations and weaving techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the openness of sheer material is increased to allow more light transmission, then light diffusion is improved, but dimensional stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The material is segmented into distinct structural components: vertical pillars and horizontal bridges forming a grid pattern. This segmentation allows the material to achieve high openness (60% or greater) while maintaining dimensional stability through the engineered grid structure that distributes loads effectively across the framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheer material is constructed as a composite structure combining vertical pillar elements and horizontal bridge elements in a grid-like pattern. This composite approach enables the material to simultaneously provide high light transmission through the open grid while maintaining dimensional stability through the interconnected framework of pillars and bridges.
2Ease of operation
If the material is made more flexible to allow rolling and unrolling operation, then ease of operation is improved, but strength under load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The material exhibits dynamic characteristics by being flexible enough to roll and unroll around a roller for operation, yet maintains sufficient strength under static and dynamic loads when deployed. The grid-like structure of pillars and bridges provides the necessary mechanical properties for both operational flexibility and load-bearing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a covering for architectural features, which may include windows, doorways, archways, and the like, where the covering includes a panel made from a light diffusing material. The light diffusing material is designed and engineered to allow a significant amount of light to pass through the material for providing a desired visual effect while having improved dimensional stability. The covering may contain a light diffusing material that extends along a first direction of the covering (e.g., vertically). The light diffusing material may have an openness factor of about 60% or greater and contain pillars extending in the first direction and bridges extending between the pillars. Each pillar may contain at least two yarns, and each bridge may contain at least one yarn.