Spring Safety Bushing for Roller Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing safety devices for screens on tubes, such as technical curtains and mosquito nets, pose risks during installation and uninstallation due to the difficulty in blocking the spring, requiring tools in hard-to-reach positions and risking the uncontrolled release of elastic energy, which can be hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A safety device equipped with a ratchet gear that automatically locks the spring in position during loading and unloading, allowing manual operation without tools and keeping the spring at a safe distance from the operator, featuring a bushing with saw teeth to prevent reverse rotation and a sliding bearing for improved tribology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional spring-loading method is used during tube installation, then the spring can be loaded into the tube, but the operator risks uncontrolled release of elastic energy and requires tools in difficult positions
Solution Approach 1:
A bushing with saw teeth acts as an intermediary component between the spring and the tube. The saw teeth engage with the spring windings to provide controlled positioning and prevent uncontrolled release, while the bushing itself can be safely inserted and removed from the tube without exposing the operator to dangerous spring energy
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing is pre-loaded with the spring in a controlled environment before installation. This preliminary loading allows the spring to be pre-positioned and secured with the saw teeth engaged, eliminating the need for dangerous spring manipulation during the actual tube installation process
2Reliability
If a bushing with key is inserted into the tube to secure the spring, then the spring can be blocked, but the operation becomes more severe with risk of incorrect insertion and groove distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The saw teeth on the bushing are asymmetrically arranged to match the asymmetric groove pattern on the spring. This asymmetric design provides foolproof engagement - the bushing can only be inserted in the correct orientation, eliminating the risk of incorrect insertion and groove distortion while maintaining reliable spring blocking
3Ease of repair
If the roller is removed from its seat to correct spring tensioning, then the spring tension can be adjusted, but the spring is freed causing uncontrolled elastic energy release
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing with saw teeth serves as a safe intermediary that maintains spring positioning during tension correction operations. The saw teeth continuously engage the spring windings, preventing sudden release even when the roller is removed from its seat for tensioning adjustments
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
The solution ensures safe and easy installation and uninstallation of screens by preventing accidental spring release, reducing the risk of injury and eliminating the need for tools, while maintaining the spring's pre-loaded state until it is safely released.
Implementation Method 1
a ratchet gear (18, 19, 20) adapted to prevent rotating the bushing (16) and the tube (3) in a sense opposite to that of loading the spring (7)
Implementation Method 2
a sliding bearing (27) adapted to improve the tribology between pressing second spring (15) and bushing (16)
Implementation Method 3
means (5, 6) for loading a first spring (7) for actuating the tube (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A safety device (1) is described for screens (2) on a tube (3), particularly for technical curtains, mosquito nets, nets and roller screens, comprising: means (5, 6) for loading a spring (7) for actuating the tube (3); and stopper means (16, 18, 19, 20) adapted to assume: (a) a safety position, before assembling the tube (3) in its operating position, in which they keep the spring (7) un-movably and safely loaded; and (b) an opening position, after assembling the tube (3), in which they release the spring (7) allowing the screen (11) placed onto the tube (3) to be unwound and rewound in its use positions. Installation and un- installation processes of such device are also described.