Variable Pitch Tilt-Control Assembly for Architectural Coverings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing architectural-structure coverings lack effective control over the rotational movement of their components, leading to potential damage from over-rotation and inefficient light management.
Innovation Solution
A tilt-control assembly featuring a limiter with variable pitch and diameter screw threads, along with a ball mechanism, is integrated into the operating mechanism to limit excessive rotation, preventing damage and optimizing light control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the covering or components are allowed to rotate freely to control light and view, then the user can vary the amount of natural light permitted to enter and control view through the covering, but over-rotation may occur causing potential damage to the operating mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt control assembly pre-establishes rotational limits through the limiter mechanism before any over-rotation can occur. The limiter is positioned and configured in advance to engage with the operating mechanism at predetermined angular positions, preventing the covering from rotating beyond safe limits while still allowing full useful rotation for light and view control.
2Reliability
If a tilt control assembly is added to prevent over-rotation, then damage from over-rotation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt control assembly is merged with the existing operating mechanism by integrating the limiter and tilt control rod into the same structural assembly. The limiter engages directly with components already present in the operating mechanism, and the tilt control rod serves dual purposes as both a control element and a structural connector, thereby preventing over-rotation while minimizing additional complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If the covering is rotated to block view and control light, then the user can adjust the angular position for optimal light management, but excessive rotation may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt control assembly provides mechanical feedback through the limiter mechanism that engages with the operating mechanism at predetermined angular positions. When the covering approaches the maximum safe rotation angle, the limiter engages to prevent further rotation, providing immediate feedback to the user that the optimal light control position has been reached or exceeded, thus preventing over-rotation damage while enabling effective light management.
Data Source
AI summary
A tilt-control assembly for use with an operating mechanism of an architectural-structure covering is disclosed. The tilt-control assembly includes a limiter having an external screw thread and a ball operatively associated with the screw threads so that rotation of the limiter moves the ball relative to the limiter. The screw threads may include variable pitch threads. For example, the screw thread may include a middle thread pitch in a middle portion of the screw thread and an end thread pitch adjacent to the ends of the screw thread, the middle thread pitch being smaller than the end thread pitch. In addition, the limiter and/or screw threads may include a variable diameter. The ball may be positioned within a groove including a contoured surface that substantially corresponds to the variable diameter. The ends of the screw thread may include substantially spherically shaped end portions for receiving the ball therein.