Venetian Blind Retention Device for Emergency Gravity Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional venetian blinds are difficult to quickly and reliably open in emergency situations, such as fires, due to high costs and time-consuming processes associated with existing emergency mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A restraining device with fastening means on the lower end rail and retaining means in the upper area of the building recess allows the blind to be manually pushed into a secure position by inserting projecting bolts into sheet metal hooks, utilizing gravity and elastic design for retention, enabling easy and quick deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional emergency mechanisms (hand cranks, winding springs) are used to open blinds quickly, then the blind can be opened in emergency situations, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the emergency release function from complex mechanical mechanisms (hand cranks, winding springs) and implements it through a simple gravity-based system. The blind is equipped with a release mechanism that allows it to be quickly opened by utilizing gravity to pull the blind down, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual cranking or spring winding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency opening mechanism utilizes gravity as a self-service force to rapidly open the blind without requiring external power sources or complex actuation systems. The weight of the blind itself becomes the driving force for quick opening, eliminating the need for motors, springs, or other energy-storing mechanisms.
2Speed
If complex emergency release mechanisms are installed, then the blind can be opened quickly, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes complex mechanical components (gears, springs, motors) from the emergency release system and replaces them with a simple gravity-based mechanism. The essential function of quick opening is achieved through a minimalistic design that uses the blind's own weight and a simple release latch, dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using active mechanisms (motors, springs) to push the blind open, the invention uses passive gravity force to pull the blind down. This inversion of the opening mechanism simplifies the system by eliminating the need for energy-storing or power-generating components.
3Reliability
If manual pushing of the lower end rail beyond the upper end position is required, then the blind can be secured in a safety position, but the operation may be difficult under high-heat conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The safety securing mechanism utilizes gravity as a self-service force to automatically hold the blind in the safety position once pushed up. The weight of the blind creates a natural locking effect that maintains the secured position without requiring additional forces or active maintenance, making the system reliable even in high-heat conditions where manual strength may be compromised.
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 rapid and reliable deployment of venetian blinds into a safety position, even in high-heat conditions, with easy installation on existing blinds and minimal labor, ensuring the curtain remains up until manually released.
Implementation Method 1
enabling the lower end rail to be fixed in a safety position
Implementation Method 2
This second leg can, for example, be designed to be elastically resilient, so that when the lower end rail is pushed up, it is elastically deformed by the force exerted by the respective bolt and then springs back into its original position.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The device has liftable and lowerable lower end rails (5) arranged between two lateral guide rails (9). Attachment units e.g. bolts (13), are formed in the lower end rails. The bolts are connected with the lower end rails in a rotation safe manner. Retention units are formed at the lateral guide rails or at a stationary part of a Venetian blind (1) or a block out of a building. The retention units retain or hold the attachment units and the lower end rails in a safety position above an upper end position. An independent claim is also included for a method for speeding up gathering and locking of a Venetian blind using a retention device.