Slat Blind Switching Device with Rotational Magnet Trajectory

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing switching devices for slat blind motor assemblies face malfunctions due to limited magnetic field variations between positions, leading to inaccurate detection and potential shocks during blind operation, especially with temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

The device transforms the relative movement of its second member into a trajectory with a rotational component for the magnet, altering the magnetic field's direction and intensity at the detector, allowing for precise position differentiation using a less precise detector, and includes a guide path with rectilinear and curved portions to manage movement and prevent jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnet moves in a straight line relative to a detector, then the device structure is simple, but the magnetic field variation at the detector is limited and may cause malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtrajectory complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet's movement is transformed from simple linear translation to a trajectory with rotational components. The magnet rotates around an axis that is not parallel to the translation axis of the second member, creating a more complex spatial path that significantly varies the magnetic field intensity at the detector position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation of the magnet's magnetic poles changes during movement. In the first position, a first pole faces the detector; in the second position, an opposite second pole faces the detector. This parameter change in pole orientation creates significant magnetic field variation for reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the magnet displacement distance is increased to improve field variation, then the blind rail length increases, but the device becomes larger and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidblind rail length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing linear displacement distance, the invention introduces rotational movement in another dimension. The magnet rotates around an axis not parallel to the translation axis, creating significant magnetic field variation through angular change rather than increased linear travel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the orientation parameter of the magnet during a limited displacement. By rotating the magnet so that opposite poles face the detector at different positions, significant field variation is achieved within a compact rail length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If an accurate detector is used to avoid malfunctions, then detection precision improves, but the device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetector precision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet's pole orientation changes significantly during movement, with opposite poles facing the detector at different positions. This creates large variations in magnetic field intensity that are easily detectable even with less precise detectors, reducing the precision requirements for the detector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rotational component of the magnet's trajectory creates significant spatial distribution changes in the magnetic field lines. This dimensional change in movement pattern produces pronounced field variations that simplify detection requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If the magnet moves along a purely translational path, then the mechanism is simpler, but the magnetic field variation is insufficient for reliable detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidposition detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet's trajectory combines translation with rotation around an axis not parallel to the translation axis. This adds a rotational dimension to the movement, creating significant variations in the spatial distribution of magnetic field lines and improving detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation of the magnet's magnetic poles changes during the combined translational and rotational movement. The rotation causes opposite poles to face the detector at different positions, creating significant magnetic field intensity variations that enable reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reliable detection and early motor stoppage with significant magnetic field variation, reducing the risk of shocks and improving operational accuracy with a simpler mechanism that minimizes assembly precision requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet (27) intended to move during the relative movement of the second member (17) with respect to the first member (16), and a detector (28) of the field generated by the magnet (27)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2546452B1Switching device for a motor assembly of an indoor or outdoor slat blind
Publication Date: 2014.04.02 SOMFY SAS
  • EP2546452B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2546452B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2546452B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The device (12) has a magnet (27) generating a magnetic field for moving a detector (28) during a relative movement of a member (17) i.e. base, with respect to another member (16) i.e. button, between two positions of the device. A transformation unit (29) transforms the relative movement of the former member relative to the latter member to another relative movement of the magnet relative to the detector along a path. The path comprises a rotational component that rotates between the two positions of the device.