Threaded Blind Roller Actuation Without Chain Hazards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window blind operating devices, such as those using an operating rod, face inefficiencies in force transmission due to the remote placement of the hinged handle from the winding roller, making operation laborious and inefficient, and existing solutions like ring chains pose choking hazards to children.
Innovation Solution
An operating device featuring a rotating shaft with a thread segment and a sleeve shell that allows for upright rotation of the winding roller, utilizing a carrier and force transmitting members to efficiently transmit manual force for winding up or down the window covering, while incorporating a rotation preventing unit to manage the winding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ring chain is used to operate the winding roller, then the window covering can be raised or lowered, but it poses choking or strangulation hazards to young children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ring chain from the system and replaces it with a operating rod that extends vertically from the winding roller. This extraction of the harmful element (ring chain) eliminates the choking hazard while preserving the essential function of operating the window blind.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating rod serves as an intermediary element between the user's manual operation and the winding roller. Instead of directly exposing children to the ring chain, the operating rod provides a safe interface that transmits force to rotate the winding roller without creating choking hazards.
2Ease of operation
If the hinged handle is disposed remote from the winding roller, then the operating rod can be manipulated, but it is hard for force to be transmitted to the rotation transmitting mechanism, making operation laborious
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the handle remote from the winding roller as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the handle closely adjacent to the winding roller. This inversion allows direct force transmission from the handle to the winding roller, eliminating the inefficiency of remote handle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the handle and the operating rod into a closely integrated assembly where the handle is positioned immediately adjacent to the winding roller. This merging allows for direct and efficient force transmission, as the handle and operating rod form a unified operational unit rather than separate components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an operating rod with remote hinged handle is used, then the ring chain hazard is eliminated, but the structure becomes complex and operation becomes laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex rotation transmitting mechanism and remote hinged handle assembly from conventional operating devices. By taking out these unnecessary intermediate components, the design achieves hazard elimination while simplifying the overall structure to a more direct and less complex configuration.
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 simplifies the construction and operation of the window blind, enabling smooth and effortless winding of window coverings, reducing the risk of choking hazards and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a thread segment formed on an outer shaft surface thereof... A force transmitting member is carried on the annular seat wall and is engaged with the thread segment... an axially manual force applied to the surrounding wall is transmitted to move the actuated annular wall along the upright axis so as rotate the rotating shaft about the upright axis through engagement of the force transmitting member with the thread segment
Data Source
AI summary
An operating device for rotating a winding roller of a window blind, includes an upright rotating shaft rotatable to cause rotation of the winding roller and having a thread segment, a sleeve shell movably surrounding the thread segment, a carrier disposed within the sleeve shell to be movable axially between pressed and non-pressed positions to hold a force transmitting member that is engaged with the thread segment, and a rotation preventing unit disposed between the sleeve shell and the carrier so as to transmit an axially manual force applied to the sleeve shell to move the carrier axially so as to rotate the rotating shaft through engagement of the force transmitting member with the thread segment in the pressed position, thereby winding up a window covering.