Covering for architectural opening including thermoformable slat vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable cellular shades for architectural openings are limited in that they typically require a stacked retracted configuration, which does not allow for hidden storage and can be damaged when rolled up, and they lack the ability to maintain a consistent appearance during extension and retraction.
Innovation Solution
A covering system featuring vanes or slats that form pseudo-cells, which can be retracted by rolling around a support tube or stacking, maintaining a consistent appearance and providing insulation and aesthetic appeal, with support members that are thermoformable and resilient to retain shape and bias the vanes away from the support sheet when extended.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cellular shades are retracted by stacking cells vertically, then the cells can be stored in a compact configuration, but the cells cannot be hidden from view and may be damaged when rolled up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vanes flexible and capable of changing configuration between extended and retracted states. The vanes are designed to be resilient and adaptable, allowing them to transition from a flat extended position to a rolled-up retracted position without damage, resolving the contradiction between retraction capability and cell damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible vanes made of resilient material that can be rolled onto the support tube without damage. These thin, flexible structures allow the shade to be retracted by rolling while maintaining integrity, eliminating the damage risk associated with traditional cellular structures that cannot be rolled
2Reliability
If cellular shades are retracted by stacking, then no rolling damage occurs, but hidden storage and protection from damage are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by rolling the vanes onto a support tube, creating a compact cylindrical storage configuration. The vanes are nested around the tube in a space-efficient manner, achieving hidden storage and reduced volume while maintaining cell integrity through the resilient material that prevents damage during rolling
3Loss of energy
If traditional cellular shades are used, then insulation is provided, but consistent appearance during extension and retraction is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing vanes with specific geometric parameters (length, width, curvature) that allow them to maintain a consistent visual appearance whether extended or retracted. The vanes are engineered to create uniform pseudo-cells when extended and to roll uniformly when retracted, maintaining aesthetic consistency while providing insulation through the air-trapping pseudo-cell structure
4Stability of the object's composition
If vanes are made rigid to maintain shape, then appearance consistency is improved, but the ability to roll onto support tube is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing different portions of the vane with different properties: the vane material is resilient and flexible to allow rolling, while the geometric configuration and spacing create rigid-looking pseudo-cells when extended. This local differentiation allows the vane to be flexible where needed for rolling while maintaining shape retention in the extended configuration for appearance consistency
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 allows for hidden storage and protection from damage while maintaining a consistent appearance and providing effective insulation and aesthetic appeal, as the vanes can be rolled onto a support tube for compact storage and extend to form pseudo-cells without altering their appearance.
Implementation Method 1
heating the vane material and the support member so that the support member forms a shape substantially the same as a shape of or corresponding to the support tube, cooling the vane material, the support member and the support tube
Implementation Method 2
resilient to retain shape and bias the vanes away from the support sheet when extended
Data Source
AI summary
A covering an architectural opening including a support tube and a panel operably connected to the support tube and configured to be wound around the support tube. The panel includes a support sheet and at least one vane or slat connected to the support sheet. The at least vane includes a vane material operably connected to a first side of the support sheet and a support member operably connected to the vane material and configured to support the vane material at a distance away from the support sheet when the panel is in an extended position with respect to the support tube.