Venetian Blind Slider Element Cord Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Venetian blind control mechanisms are complex and difficult to manufacture and assemble, lacking efficient components that facilitate easy adjustment of slat tilt angles.

Innovation Solution

A slider element with a base portion and a slider portion that includes through holes and ladder cord securing means, allowing the cords to pass through voids defined by the slider's inner surfaces, enabling easy tilt adjustment of slats by moving the slider portion along a linear path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional control mechanisms are used with multiple ladders and complex cord arrangements, then the blind can achieve slat tilt adjustment, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslat tilt adjustmentVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism is segmented into independent slider elements, each responsible for a single ladder's cord arrangement. Each slider element contains its own base portion and slider portion with integrated cord routing, eliminating the need for complex inter-ladder coordination mechanisms while maintaining full tilt adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slider portion is nested within the head rail aperture, with the base portion seated in the aperture and the slider portion moving within the defined space. The cord routing channels are nested within the slider element structure itself, creating a compact integrated design that reduces overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If conventional control mechanisms with multiple components are used, then slat tilt control is achieved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslat tilt controlVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism is divided into discrete, modular slider elements that can be manufactured independently using standard molding techniques. Each slider element is a self-contained unit with integrated cord routing channels, allowing for simplified manufacturing and assembly processes compared to conventional multi-component systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cord routing channels are pre-formed as integral features of the slider element structure during manufacturing. The base portion and slider portion are designed with built-in guidance features that automatically align cords during assembly, eliminating the need for complex cord threading operations after assembly begins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1816303B1Venetian blind and slider element thereof
Publication Date: 2013.10.30 TURNILS UK
  • EP1816303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1816303B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1816303B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to blinds, components of blinds and assembly of blinds, and particularly to the tilt mechanism of a Venetian blind. The tilt mechanism includes a slider element to which the cords of the cord ladder are attached. The slider element has a base portion fixedly mounted in an aperture of the head rail, and a sliding portion. The ladder cords are routed through holes in the base portion, through a void between the sliding portion and the base portion and out of the ends of the slider element. The ends of the ladder cords are secured proximate respective ends of the sliding portion. The void is divided into separate chambers and the holes of the base portion communicate each with a respective chamber. A further hole and chamber may be provided to accommodate a lift cord. Tangling of the cords is eliminated, and the compact arrangement allows a slim and attractive head rail to be used.