Window Shade with Thermochromic Temperature Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window treatments effectively block external light and provide insulation but lack the ability to indicate outdoor temperature, requiring users to rely on separate instruments for weather information.

Innovation Solution

A window treatment integrating a mounting unit, shade unit, and outdoor temperature indication arrangement, where the shade unit is made of heat-sensitive material that changes color to indicate outdoor temperature, and includes a display screen for digital temperature display, allowing for seamless integration with existing treatments and reduced manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the shade unit is made of heat-sensitive material to indicate outdoor temperature, then the temperature indication function is improved, but the light blocking and insulation performance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutdoor temperature informationVSAvoidthermal insulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating heat-sensitive material only in specific portions of the shade unit rather than the entire structure. This allows temperature indication functionality to be localized to areas where it does not compromise the overall light blocking and thermal insulation performance of the shade unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes of heat-sensitive material as a visual indicator of outdoor temperature. The material changes color in response to temperature variations, providing intuitive temperature information while maintaining the shade's primary functions. This non-intrusive indication method avoids adding separate electronic components that could compromise insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If a display screen is added to the mounting unit for digital temperature display, then the temperature indication accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature display accuracyVSAvoidwindow treatment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the shade unit, enables temperature sensing, and incorporates a display screen for digital temperature indication. By integrating these diverse functions into a single component, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to adding separate independent components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If the interior side of the shade unit is sealed with thermal insulating layer, then the insulation performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy lossVSAvoidshade unit assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction by combining the shade unit material with a thermal insulating layer in a sealed configuration. This composite structure integrates multiple functional properties (light blocking, thermal insulation, and temperature sensing) into a unified component that can be manufactured as a single assembly, reducing the complexity of assembling separate insulating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables users to visually determine outdoor temperature through color changes in the shade unit while maintaining effective light blocking and insulation, enhancing the versatility and efficiency of conventional window treatments.

Implementation Method 1

the shade unit is made of heat-sensitive material that changes color to indicate outdoor temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Implementation Method 2

an interior side of the shade unit is sealed a thermal insulating layer to prevent the color change of the temperature sensitive portion in response to an interior temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11639632B2Window treatment with outdoor temperature indication arrangement

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 CHEUNG CANDICE

AI summary

The window treatment includes a top member, a shade unit, and an outdoor temperature indication arrangement. The top member is adapted for mounting at a ceiling of the window frame. The shade unit is downwardly suspended from the top member and being moved between a closed position and an opened position, wherein at the closed position, the shade unit is moved for covering the window glass to control an amount of light in a space, and at the opened position, the shade unit is moved for uncovering the window glass. The outdoor temperature indication arrangement is formed with the shade unit for indicating an outdoor temperature when the shade unit is moved at the closed position.